Members of the Watsonville City Council have expressed significant concerns regarding a proposed battery energy storage system outside the city’s limits. In a letter directed to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, council members highlighted their apprehensions about the Seahawk Energy Storage Project, which New Leaf Energy plans to establish on approximately 16 acres of a 47-acre parcel on Minto Road.
The council is set to consider the authorization of this letter during its meeting on October 17, 2023. Council members Casey Clark, Ari Parker, and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter recommended the action as part of the council’s consent agenda. Their concerns come on the heels of a presentation provided by New Leaf Energy, which aims to create a facility capable of storing clean energy for use during peak demand periods. The company asserts that the project could prevent rolling blackouts and public safety power shutoffs.
Project Details and Safety Measures
New Leaf Energy plans to construct the energy storage facility directly across from the Pacific Gas & Electric substation on Green Valley Road. The proposed system would allow for the storage of renewable energy in batteries, essential for a shift towards a sustainable energy infrastructure in California.
In its promotional materials, New Leaf Energy states that the project would establish vital local infrastructure to bolster the electrical grid while supporting California’s transition to renewable energy sources. “The project will establish critical, new local infrastructure that will strengthen the electrical grid locally, while contributing to a greener and more sustainable power source,” the company notes on its website.
Despite these promises, residents remain apprehensive, particularly after a fire at the Vistra Energy Storage Facility at the Moss Landing Power Plant in January 2025 raised alarms about safety risks associated with large-scale battery storage. During the council meeting, Max Christian, the project lead for New Leaf Energy, sought to alleviate these fears, explaining that the Moss Landing incident was an isolated failure. He asserted that since 2022, updated regulations from the National Fire Protection Association have improved safety standards for battery systems, aiming to prevent similar incidents.
According to Christian, modern battery storage systems utilize containerized technology that significantly reduces fire risk. He stated, “The amount of batteries in a containerized system, there’s about 40 batteries within this containerized system that has remote monitoring, remote shutoff.” Additionally, the project plans to implement an aerosol-based fire suppression system, active heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and double-walled, steel-sealed containers to further enhance safety. An emergency response plan will also be developed in conjunction with local fire services, in line with recent legislative measures signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Community Concerns and Next Steps
Despite these assurances, public concern has continued to grow, with residents voicing their apprehensions at various county-hosted meetings. As the project is situated in unincorporated Watsonville, the final decision will be made by the Board of Supervisors. Council members articulated in their letter that the city’s residents would undoubtedly be impacted by the project, necessitating their input into the decision-making process.
“The January 2025 fire at the Moss Landing facility illustrates the potential risks associated with large-scale lithium-ion battery storage, including fire hazards, chemical releases, and environmental impacts,” the council members wrote. They emphasized that these risks must be thoroughly evaluated and addressed prior to any land use and zoning approvals, noting the long-term effects such projects can have on local communities.
Key concerns raised by the council included the proximity of the proposed site to schools and wildlife areas, insufficient opportunities for local input, potential air quality impacts, challenges in firefighting, and risks associated with toxic gas releases and thermal runaway. The council members elaborated that “lithium-ion batteries may carry the risk of thermal runaway, in which a single overheated cell can trigger a chain reaction, resulting in fires or explosions.”
To ensure safety and public confidence, the council recommended that the county adopt an evidence-based approach to energy storage regulations as it reviews the project. They stated, “We are advocating for actions that help us maintain public trust and ensure long-term safety and resilience of our area.”
Copies of the letter were also sent to John Laird, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Cruz County.
In other matters, the council will discuss introducing an ordinance to adopt the newest standards of the California Building Code and a uniform code for the abatement of dangerous buildings. The public meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on October 17, 2023, at the Watsonville City Council Chambers, located at 275 Main St. A closed session to discuss legal matters will precede the public meeting at 4:30 p.m.
