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Energy Storage Safety Update - 3/3/2025

Several significant developments emerged last week concerning energy storage safety and regulatory oversight in California. The San Diego and Monterey County Boards of Supervisors both had items on their agendas related to energy storage safety. At the state level, several safety-related bills were introduced by the February 21 bill introduction deadline. Many of the bills so far are still placeholder bills with very little substantive content. The primary bill of concern to CESA remains Assembly Bill 303 (discussed below), introduced by the Assemblymember Addis whose district includes Moss Landing. No new environmental findings regarding Moss Landing were released last week.

MONTEREY COUNTY AD HOC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

On February 25, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors convened to discuss the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee established in response to the Moss Landing incident. The committee recommended opposing future indoor battery storage facilities within the county, citing safety concerns highlighted by the recent fire. While broadly consistent with recommendations developed by CESA and American Clean Power (ACP), as written the recommendations would not include exceptions for technologies that are not susceptible to thermal runaway. Other recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee are more troubling, such as requiring existing facilities in the County “to be brought up to the highest industry standards… including the use of newer and safer battery technology…” The Board did approve receipt of the report, but did not take action on the recommendations per se. CESA will continue to work with the County to ensure future requirements are reasonable and consistent with state and national standards. 

Watch: Monterey Board of Supervisors Meeting - 2/25/2025
Report: Ad Hoc Committee Board Report

ONGOING MITIGATION EFFORTS AT MOSS LANDING

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has assumed a leading role in the mitigation efforts at the Moss Landing site. As of February 22, the EPA initiated the delinking process, which involves systematically disconnecting individual batteries to prevent potential thermal runaway in units that, while not consumed by the fire, may have sustained damage. This meticulous procedure aims to safeguard both human health and the environment by reducing the risk of additional flare-ups. Continuous air monitoring is in place to detect any changes in air quality, and a private fire company remains on-site to respond promptly to any incidents. The initial phase targets the delinking of approximately 50% of the remaining batteries. Subsequent phases will address areas currently inaccessible due to structural damage.

Watch: County of Monterey Weekly News Briefing - 2/26/2025
 
SAN DIEGO COUNTY REJECTS MOTION TO SUPPORT AB 303

On February 25, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors considered an agenda item from Supervisor Desmond to support Assembly Bill 303, which would rescind the CEC opt-in permitting process for energy storage and require 3,200 ft setbacks from homes, schools, and hospitals. CESA and several allied organizations submitted comments opposing the item, and it was ultimately denied by a 3 to 1 vote. 

One point that CESA made, reflected in some supervisors’ comments, is that the SD County Fire Protection District is already working on energy storage guidelines for the County, as directed by the Board of Supervisors, and AB 303 would prejudge the outcome of the District’s work. CESA met with District staff on February 12 to discuss the draft guidelines and provided detailed feedback on February 28. We will continue to work closely with the District on the development of those guidelines.

Watch: County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Meeting - 2/25/2025

RECENT NEWS ARTICLES

 

Respectfully,

Scott Muritshaw, CESA Executive Director