Officials in Monterey County, California, are set to consider a proposal for a moratorium on the construction of new battery storage facilities. This decision comes nine months after a significant fire at a battery plant in Moss Landing raised critical concerns about public safety and the rapid expansion of renewable energy in the state.
On January 16, 2023, a fire at the Moss Landing facility, owned by energy company Vistra, became the largest battery storage fire in U.S. history. Over the course of two days, the blaze consumed more than 50,000 lithium-ion batteries, generating a toxic cloud that prompted the evacuation of approximately 1,200 residents from nearby communities. Many evacuees reported health issues such as headaches and breathing difficulties, highlighting the risks associated with battery storage technology.
During a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church, who represents the Moss Landing district, will advocate for a temporary halt on new battery facilities. Church believes that such regulations should be adopted statewide, given the increasing number of battery plants being built each year, often in close proximity to residential areas, schools, and businesses.
“California is going to need more battery facilities,” Church stated. “But we need to make them safe. They are very volatile. It’s a new technology that’s evolving. We need to do more to be on top of the safety, health, and environmental concerns.”
If the moratorium is approved, county staff will draft regulations addressing various safety issues, including site selection, fire prevention measures, emergency management policies, and cleanup protocols following incidents. This regulatory process could take between one to two years to finalize.
Other counties in California have already taken similar steps. In 2022, Solano County enacted a moratorium on new battery storage plants after local residents expressed safety concerns. Although the moratorium was lifted in August, new regulations were implemented to restrict construction to industrial zones only. In February, Orange County officials also established an emergency moratorium following the Moss Landing fire while collaborating with fire departments to develop local regulations.
Renewable energy industry groups have voiced opposition to local moratoriums. Molly Croll, senior policy director for the American Clean Power Association in California, argued, “Blanket bans on any source of clean power are the wrong approach for California at a time when electricity demand is rising.” She emphasized that the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development is working on model ordinances for battery storage sites to ensure both safety and energy needs are met.
The demand for battery storage in California has surged, with the number of facilities increasing from 17 in 2019 to 187 today. These plants play a crucial role in storing energy generated by solar and wind farms, allowing renewable energy to be accessible around the clock. California aims to achieve 100% renewable and carbon-free electricity by 2045 to combat climate change and air pollution.
Community advocates near the Moss Landing facility have expressed support for a moratorium. Brian Roeder, co-founder of the group Never Again Moss Landing, highlighted concerns over the volatility of lithium-ion technology. “Once these things catch fire, the emissions are incredibly harmful to living creatures,” he said, warning of long-term health impacts.
The safety of battery storage facilities has been a contentious issue in California’s legislature. A proposed bill, AB 303, aimed to prohibit new battery storage plants within 3,200 feet of residential areas, schools, and parks, but it failed to progress in the legislature despite strong support from renewable energy companies and labor unions. Instead, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 283, which requires energy companies to collaborate with local fire officials when drafting emergency response plans and to have facilities inspected before operation.
As Monterey County continues to deliberate its path forward regarding battery storage, the balance between advancing renewable energy and ensuring public safety remains a pressing challenge for the state.
