Title
a. Adopt a resolution continuing for an additional sixty (60) days, the Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to a structure fire and hazardous materials incident at the Moss Landing Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Power Plant that started on January 16, 2025; and
b. Receive a verbal update regarding the recent Moss Landing incident. (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a resolution continuing for an additional sixty (60) days, the Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to a structure fire and hazardous materials incident at the Moss Landing Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Power Plant that started on January 16, 2025; and
b. Receive a verbal update regarding the recent Moss Landing incident.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On January 16, 2025, shortly after 3:00 p.m. a fire began at the Vistra Energy (“Vistra”) 300-MW Phase I battery energy storage facility located at the Moss Landing Power Plant. A Local Emergency was Proclaimed by the County Administrative Officer on January 17, 2025, and ratified by the Board of Supervisors on January 21, 2025. The Board further ratified the continuance of the proclamation on March 18, 2025, May 13, 2025, July 8, 2025, August 26, 2025, October 21, 2025, December 9, 2025, February 03, 2026, March 24, 2026, April 28, 2026, June 16, 2026, and August 11, 2026.
The Vistra operation is one of the largest lithium battery storage facilities in the world and the fire caused the lithium batteries to burn. Local fire officials could not extinguish the fire due to the extreme heat from the multiple lithium batteries burning, and as of January 17th the fire continued burning. Evacuation orders for the surrounding community were lifted on January 18, 2025. The evacuation orders were issued as a precaution due to the ongoing fire and concerns of exposure to hazardous materials. Air monitoring conducted by the United States’ Environme...
Click here for full text