On Feb. 6, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of local residents impacted by the Jan. 16, 2025, fire at the Moss Landing Lithium Battery Energy Storage System, which prompted evacuation of over 1,200 residents in Monterey County.
The fire at the plant — touted as the world’s largest lithium-ion battery energy storage sites — caused widespread concern over public safety, air and soil quality, and the adequacy of fire prevention measures.
The lawsuit alleges that the plant owner, Vistra Energy, along with Pacific Gas & Electric, LG Energy Solution, Moss Landing Power Co., Dynegy Operating Co., and other corporate entities, failed to implement adequate fire safety measures, including proper maintenance, thermal runaway prevention, and compliance with updated fire safety standards.
Erin Brockovich
Renowned environmental advocate Erin Brockovich joined forces with Singleton Schreiber, a San Diego based law firm that has recovered more than $3 billion for clients over the past decade, to fight for accountability and justice on behalf of the affected community.
Brockovich, known for her decades-long battle to build a case against PG&E for groundwater contamination, is lending her expertise and voice to ensure that residents receive answers, medical monitoring, and compensation for the harm they have endured.
“This is yet another example of corporate negligence putting profits over people,” said Brockovich. “Time and again, we see companies cut corners on safety, only for communities to suffer the consequences. We will not stand by while families breathe in toxic air and worry about the long-term health effects of this disaster. They deserve transparency, justice, and real protections.”
Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for evacuation expenses, emotional distress, property damage, and loss of income caused by the mandatory evacuations and subsequent disruptions.
“This fire is a wake-up call for the energy storage industry,” said lead attorney Gerald Singleton of Singleton Schreiber, “Communities living near these facilities deserve better safeguards, transparency, and accountability. Energy sustainability should never come at the expense of public safety.”
Beyond the fire hazard, the incident also raises significant concerns about potential environmental and public health risks due to soil and air pollution.
Lithium-ion battery fires release a complex mix of toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds, which can pose serious respiratory and neurological risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Additionally, the fallout from combustion byproducts, including heavy metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese, may have contaminated surrounding soil and water sources.
Defendants knew they were using dangerous lithium-ion batteries, housing them in what they knew was the most dangerous way, and ignored the safety of the community for their own profit, the law firm alleges.
As a result of this disregard for public safety and catastrophic fire, they say, residents suffered nasal and eye irritation, difficulty breathing, headaches, nosebleeds, sore/scratchy throat, lung congestion, fatigue, runny nose/nasal drip, burning lungs, dizziness, shortness of breath, unexplained discharge of blood, sores, metal taste, inability to focus, unusual smells, lung irritation, skin irritation and more.
Those with respiratory disorders have seen these conditions exacerbated and many community members have sought medical expertise due to their symptoms.
The Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage plant has experienced multiple incidents since its commissioning, with overheating and fire-related issues occurring in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The latest fire demonstrates a failure to address systemic safety concerns, putting nearby residents at ongoing risk, according to the law firm.
The plaintiffs are calling for:
- A full investigation into the root causes of the fire.
- Industry-wide adoption of updated safety standards and fire prevention measures.
- Compensation for damages and disruptions caused by the incident.
This lawsuit underscores the need for more stringent oversight of energy storage facilities as California and the nation transition to renewable energy solutions, as Singleton Schreiber put it.
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Singleton Schreiber is the largest fire litigation practice in the country, having represented over 26,000 victims of wildfire, most notably serving plaintiffs in litigation related to the 2025 Eaton Fire, 2023 Maui wildfires, the Colorado Marshall wildfire, the Washington Gray wildfire, the Texas Smokehouse Creek wildfire, and several California wildfires. Call 831-777-2040 for more info.