Title
Consider recommendations from the Legislative Committee to adopt positions on Senate Bill (SB) 283 (Laird) Energy storage systems and Assembly Bill (AB) 303 (Addis) Battery energy storage facilities.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider recommendations from the Legislative Committee to adopt positions on Senate Bill (SB) 283 (Laird) Energy storage systems and Assembly Bill (AB) 303 (Addis) Battery energy storage facilities.
SUMMARY:
Senator John Laird introduced SB 283 Energy storage systems - also titled the “Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025”. Through this legislation, Senator Laird aims to strengthen safety standards for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
Assemblymember Dawn Addis introduced AB 303 Battery energy storage facilities - also titled the “Battery Energy Safety and Accountability Act”. Through this legislation, Assemblymember Addis aims to create common-sense siting requirement for potentially hazardous BESS facilities.
The Legislative Committee has been tracking SB 283 and AB 303 and will receive reports on both bills at their April 14, 2025, meeting. Any recommended actions the Legislative Committee provides will be reported to the Board during the presentation of this item.
If the Board adopts positions on SB 283 and/or AB 303, letters conveying those positions will be transmitted from the Board to the legislators.
DISCUSSION:
Per the Fact Sheet provided by Senator Laird, “Senate Bill 283 strengthens statewide safety standards for battery storage energy systems (BESS) and ensures there is local fire authority consultation and inspection at various stages prior to a project going online.
SB 283 requires battery storage facilities to adhere to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 855 standards, which are widely recognized as the strongest standards for safety and hazard mitigation of BESS. Prior to submitting a BESS application through the local approval process or the Cali...
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