By Jon Chown
The EPA has reached an agreement with Vistra Corp., which owns the Vista Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility, to safely remove and dispose of batteries impacted by the January fire at Moss Landing.
Under the agreement, Vistra will perform the removal of the damaged lithium-ion batteries from the site under EPA’s oversight. On Jan. 16, a fire broke out the 300-megawatt battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing. It contained about 100,000 lithium-ion battery modules, which were damaged in the incident. The fire burned for parts of three days and experienced a flare-up a month later.
“We’ve arrived at a key milestone in the Moss Landing response: an agreement that allows our EPA experts to ensure the safe removal and proper disposal of these dangerous damaged batteries,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Josh F.W. Cook. “Today’s announcement marks a major step toward protecting the community.”
Damaged lithium-ion batteries pose an ongoing risk of fire, according to the EPA. Lithium-ion battery fires can produce hydrogen fluoride, and other flammable or toxic gases. To reduce the risk of another fire, the batteries will be removed from the fire-damaged Moss Landing facility and treated for safe transport and disposal or recycling.
Under the agreement, EPA is requiring Vistra to submit detailed work plans to EPA, implement comprehensive safety measures to protect nearby residents and workers during the cleanup, and participate in community involvement activities to enable meaningful public engagement throughout the removal process. Businesses in the area remain closed due to the fire’s aftermath.
Reaction in Santa Cruz
The Moss Landing fire has been on the minds of Santa Cruz residents as the push to build a similar power Battery Energy Storage System plant in this county continues. Meetings on the proposed battery plants were held July 17 in Live Oak and on July 30 at the Santa Cruz County Governmental Center.
There are three proposed sites: 90 Minto Road in Watsonville, behind Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, and near Aptos High School. The Minto Road site is on land deemed not viable for agriculture near PG&E Green Valley substation It is proposed by Seahawk Energy Storage — a 14-acre site with about 300 lithium batteries inside a shipping container-style structure.
The Minto site is currently the favored the spot.The second site, on Houts Drive, has been ruled unsuitable by county staff due to the terrain. The third site, near Aptos High, is also unsuitable due to terrain and limited acreage. No developer has made a proposal for either of these sites.
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A final BESS workshop is scheduled at the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors chambers on Aug. 27 from 5-8 p.m.
TOP PHOTO: The Vistra power plant in Moss Landing looms behind the remains of a business that has mostly shut down ever since the battery fire. • Photo Credit: Jon Chown