**Monterey County Moves Toward Moratorium on New Battery Storage Plants Following Major Moss Landing Fire**
In response to a major fire in January at the battery storage plant in Moss Landing that sent a toxic cloud over a wide area, led to resident evacuations, and forced the closure of Highway 1, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors took initial steps late Tuesday toward imposing a ban on new battery plants in the county. This moratorium, expected to last a year or more, will remain in place while new safety regulations are drafted.
Without comment, the supervisors allowed a proposal from Supervisor Glenn Church, whose district includes Moss Landing, to proceed. The proposal requires county staff to develop language within 30 days for a moratorium on the construction of new battery storage plants and the expansion of existing ones. This draft will then be presented to the supervisors for a vote.
“I’m trying to address a way for the county to have some input into sensitive areas like Moss Landing, but also elsewhere throughout the county,” Church said during the meeting.
Earlier this week, Church expressed hope that Monterey County will adopt local regulations regarding the placement of battery storage plants, fire safety measures, emergency management policies, and post-fire cleanup procedures. “We really need to have a set of ordinances that will address the health and safety of people in the community as well as the environment,” he added during Tuesday’s meeting.
### The Moss Landing Fire: A Wake-Up Call
The fire, which occurred on January 16 at the Moss Landing plant owned by Vistra, a Texas-based energy company, was the largest battery storage fire ever recorded in the United States and captured national attention. It burned for two days, destroying over 50,000 batteries and releasing a toxic cloud that affected the Monterey Bay area and nearby communities.
Authorities evacuated approximately 1,200 local residents, many of whom reported headaches, breathing difficulties, and other health issues following the incident. The fire has raised significant concerns about the safety of battery storage facilities, which are increasingly being proposed and constructed across California and other states.
### Growth of Battery Storage Plants in California
California has witnessed rapid growth in battery storage plants, expanding from 17 in 2019 to 187 at present, with many more planned throughout the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Southern California.
These plants function similarly to batteries in cell phones, laptops, or electric vehicles. They store electricity generated by large solar and wind farms, releasing it back into the power grid during periods without sunlight or wind. Battery storage plays a critical role as California strives toward its goal of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources by 2045, supporting the state’s climate change and air pollution objectives.
### Community Advocacy and Recent Incidents
Community advocates near the Moss Landing site, which remains under EPA-supervised demolition and cleanup, support additional local regulations.
Monterey County experienced another battery storage fire on August 30 at the California Flats Energy Storage Project, a solar farm near the rural community of Parkfield. The blaze prompted sheriff’s officials to issue an evacuation warning within a two-mile radius. Fortunately, the fire was contained within 24 hours. Officials from Arevon, the Arizona-based owner, reported that four of 84 Tesla battery packs caught fire. The facility supplies electricity to PG&E and Apple. There were no injuries.
### Local Efforts Across California
Several other California regions are also advancing local regulations on battery storage plants:
– **Solano County**: Imposed a moratorium last year following safety concerns. The moratorium was lifted in August but replaced with new rules limiting construction to industrial or manufacturing-zoned lands.
– **Orange County**: Enacted an emergency moratorium in February after the Moss Landing fire and is currently collaborating with fire departments to draft local regulations.
– **Santa Cruz County**: Developing new rules expected to be presented to the board of supervisors by mid-November. A Massachusetts-based company, New Leaf, has proposed a 200-megawatt battery storage plant on Minto Road in Watsonville, near farms, homes, and schools. Local residents are organizing opposition.
### Industry Response and State Actions
Renewable energy industry groups oppose moratoriums, arguing that battery storage technology is essential for California to meet its climate and renewable energy targets. They advocate for model local ordinances being drafted by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, a state agency promoting economic growth.
Additionally, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 283 last month, a bill authored by State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz). This law requires energy companies to meet with local fire officials during the development of emergency response plans and mandates facility inspections before operations commence. The measure received support from renewable energy firms and labor unions.
However, more comprehensive proposals that sought to ban battery plants within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, businesses, and parks did not pass this year.
Scott Murtishaw, executive director of the California Energy Storage Alliance—which includes members such as Vistra, Tesla, Arevon, and New Leaf—stated, “Now is not the time to put up roadblocks to building vital clean energy resources.”
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The Monterey County Board of Supervisors’ move toward a temporary moratorium reflects growing concern over battery storage safety while balancing California’s ambitious clean energy goals. As more regulations are drafted statewide, stakeholders continue to debate how best to ensure both community safety and the advancement of renewable energy storage technologies.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/29/moss-landing-battery-fire-moratorium-on-building-new-battery-storage-projects-advances/