Battery storage

Lookout news and Community Voices opinion of the battery energy storage facility proposed for outside of Watsonville.

State energy commission determines New Leaf Energy’s application for Watsonville project ‘incomplete’

State energy commission determines New Leaf Energy’s application for Watsonville project ‘incomplete’

by Tania Ortiz July 13, 2026July 13, 2026

Supervisors shelve battery storage ordinance after Watsonville project moves to state

Supervisors shelve battery storage ordinance after Watsonville project moves to state

by Tania Ortiz July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

‘We grew up here’: Some longtime residents say battery storage project near Watsonville might force them to move

‘We grew up here’: Some longtime residents say battery storage project near Watsonville might force them to move

by Tania Ortiz May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

‘Crecimos aquí’: Algunos residentes de toda la vida dicen que el proyecto de almacenamiento de baterías cerca de Watsonville podría obligarlos a mudarse

‘Crecimos aquí’: Algunos residentes de toda la vida dicen que el proyecto de almacenamiento de baterías cerca de Watsonville podría obligarlos a mudarse

by Tania Ortiz May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

Clean energy should not bypass local accountability at the BESS facility on Minto Road

Clean energy should not bypass local accountability at the BESS facility on Minto Road

by Eduardo Hurtado May 14, 2026

Panetta to introduce new legislation aimed at ensuring battery storage systems are safer

Panetta to introduce new legislation aimed at ensuring battery storage systems are safer

by Tania Ortiz May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Panetta presentará nueva legislación destinada a garantizar que los sistemas de almacenamiento de baterías sean más seguros

Panetta presentará nueva legislación destinada a garantizar que los sistemas de almacenamiento de baterías sean más seguros

by Tania Ortiz May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Battery storage developer will seek state, not county, approval for new Watsonville plant

Battery storage developer will seek state, not county, approval for new Watsonville plant

by Tania Ortiz May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

El desarrollador de almacenamiento de baterías buscará la aprobación estatal, no del condado, para una nueva planta en Watsonville

El desarrollador de almacenamiento de baterías buscará la aprobación estatal, no del condado, para una nueva planta en Watsonville

by Tania Ortiz May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

County officials say they haven’t determined next steps after battery storage developer began exploring state, rather than county, approval

County officials say they haven’t determined next steps after battery storage developer began exploring state, rather than county, approval

by Tania Ortiz April 13, 2026May 6, 2026

Funcionarios del condado dicen que aún no han determinado los próximos pasos después de que el desarrollador de almacenamiento de baterías comenzara a explorar la aprobación estatal en lugar de la del condado

Funcionarios del condado dicen que aún no han determinado los próximos pasos después de que el desarrollador de almacenamiento de baterías comenzara a explorar la aprobación estatal en lugar de la del condado

by tania@lookoutlocal.com April 13, 2026

El desarrollador de almacenamiento de baterías explora oficialmente una vía para la aprobación estatal de una instalación en Watsonville, una medida que podría eludir leyes locales

El desarrollador de almacenamiento de baterías explora oficialmente una vía para la aprobación estatal de una instalación en Watsonville, una medida que podría eludir leyes locales

by Tania Ortiz April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Battery storage developer officially exploring path to state approval for Watsonville facility, a move that could bypass local laws

Battery storage developer officially exploring path to state approval for Watsonville facility, a move that could bypass local laws

by Tania Ortiz April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

A year after Moss Landing fire, proponents of new battery storage plant outside Watsonville say it would be safer; residents are skeptical

A year after Moss Landing fire, proponents of new battery storage plant outside Watsonville say it would be safer; residents are skeptical

by Dieter Holger April 1, 2026April 16, 2026

One year after massive fire at Moss Landing battery storage facility, nearby residents have more questions than answers

One year after massive fire at Moss Landing battery storage facility, nearby residents have more questions than answers

by Tania Ortiz January 16, 2026February 18, 2026

Supervisors move battery storage rules forward to environmental review; some residents are disappointed

Supervisors move battery storage rules forward to environmental review; some residents are disappointed

by Tania Ortiz January 14, 2026January 14, 2026

Latest version of county’s proposed battery storage rules includes water, soil monitoring, insurance bonds for developers

Latest version of county’s proposed battery storage rules includes water, soil monitoring, insurance bonds for developers

by Tania Ortiz January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

County to hold new vote on battery storage regulations in January

County to hold new vote on battery storage regulations in January

by Tania Ortiz November 19, 2025November 20, 2025

Citing safety concerns, Santa Cruz County supervisors delay new battery storage law for up to three months

Citing safety concerns, Santa Cruz County supervisors delay new battery storage law for up to three months

by Tania Ortiz November 19, 2025November 19, 2025

Santa Cruz County supervisors delay new battery storage law for up to three months, citing safety concerns

Santa Cruz County supervisors delay new battery storage law for up to three months, citing safety concerns

by Tania Ortiz November 18, 2025November 18, 2025

Battery storage developer backs Santa Cruz County’s proposed new rules ahead of Tuesday vote

Battery storage developer backs Santa Cruz County’s proposed new rules ahead of Tuesday vote

by Tania Ortiz November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

Santa Cruz County’s open approach to battery storage puts safety and community first

Santa Cruz County’s open approach to battery storage puts safety and community first

by Felipe Hernandez November 17, 2025

Bruce McPherson: I support a battery energy storage ordinance that addresses climate change and ensures local safety

Bruce McPherson: I support a battery energy storage ordinance that addresses climate change and ensures local safety

by Bruce McPherson November 16, 2025November 16, 2025

Watsonville City Council wants more say in county’s battery storage ordinance

Watsonville City Council wants more say in county’s battery storage ordinance

by Tania Ortiz November 10, 2025November 10, 2025

County publishes new draft battery storage rules ahead of first hearing on Nov. 18

County publishes new draft battery storage rules ahead of first hearing on Nov. 18

by Tania Ortiz November 7, 2025November 10, 2025

‘We’re asking for safeguards’: Tensions flare at Watsonville town hall on planned Santa Cruz County battery storage safety law

‘We’re asking for safeguards’: Tensions flare at Watsonville town hall on planned Santa Cruz County battery storage safety law

by Tania Ortiz October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

Developer New Leaf assures Watsonville officials its battery storage project would meet safety standards

Developer New Leaf assures Watsonville officials its battery storage project would meet safety standards

by Tania Ortiz October 17, 2025October 17, 2025

Newsom signs Laird’s battery storage safety bill in wake of Moss Landing fire

Newsom signs Laird’s battery storage safety bill in wake of Moss Landing fire

by Tania Ortiz October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

County supervisors will take up Watsonville battery storage plant safety issues Nov. 18

County supervisors will take up Watsonville battery storage plant safety issues Nov. 18

by Tania Ortiz September 26, 2025September 26, 2025

Ask Lookout: Is Santa Cruz County considering additional locations for battery storage facilities?

Ask Lookout: Is Santa Cruz County considering additional locations for battery storage facilities?

by Tania Ortiz September 3, 2025September 4, 2025

Battery storage developer aims to advance Watsonville project before next summer, regardless of Santa Cruz County’s rules

Battery storage developer aims to advance Watsonville project before next summer, regardless of Santa Cruz County’s rules

by Christopher Neely August 29, 2025September 26, 2025

Do battery energy storage systems belong in our communities?

Do battery energy storage systems belong in our communities?

by Matthew Paiss August 20, 2025September 26, 2025

Boycott 3CE’s silent support of lithium battery energy storage in our neighborhoods

Boycott 3CE’s silent support of lithium battery energy storage in our neighborhoods

by Becky Steinbruner August 12, 2025September 26, 2025

EPA, Vistra reach agreement for urgent battery cleanup at Moss Landing fire site

EPA, Vistra reach agreement for urgent battery cleanup at Moss Landing fire site

by Tania Ortiz July 24, 2025September 26, 2025

Next county battery storage workshop slated for July 30

Next county battery storage workshop slated for July 30

by Ava Turowski July 21, 2025September 26, 2025

In wake of Moss Landing fire, experts defend battery technology in Santa Cruz County

In wake of Moss Landing fire, experts defend battery technology in Santa Cruz County

by Tania Ortiz June 26, 2025September 26, 2025

County to host public meetings on battery energy storage facilities

County to host public meetings on battery energy storage facilities

by Chimera Mohammadi June 16, 2025September 26, 2025

PG&E delays restart of Elkhorn battery facility after identifying equipment malfunctions

PG&E delays restart of Elkhorn battery facility after identifying equipment malfunctions

by Tania Ortiz June 3, 2025September 26, 2025

‘Not in my backyard’: South County residents renew concerns over battery storage proposal months after Moss Landing blaze

‘Not in my backyard’: South County residents renew concerns over battery storage proposal months after Moss Landing blaze

by Tania Ortiz May 14, 2025September 26, 2025

PG&E aims to restart Elkhorn battery facility in June, months after Vistra facility fire

PG&E aims to restart Elkhorn battery facility in June, months after Vistra facility fire

by Tania Ortiz May 8, 2025September 26, 2025

In Moss Landing, activist Erin Brockovich finds a community searching for answers to battery facility fire

In Moss Landing, activist Erin Brockovich finds a community searching for answers to battery facility fire

by Tania Ortiz March 27, 2025February 18, 2026

Battery storage takes center stage at Santa Cruz climate presentation

Battery storage takes center stage at Santa Cruz climate presentation

by Chimera Mohammadi March 20, 2025September 26, 2025

Explainer: Is the planned Santa Cruz County battery storage facility safer than Moss Landing?

Explainer: Is the planned Santa Cruz County battery storage facility safer than Moss Landing?

by Christopher Neely March 6, 2025September 26, 2025

Citing design flaws, Moss Landing restaurant owners sue Vistra over battery plant fire

Citing design flaws, Moss Landing restaurant owners sue Vistra over battery plant fire

by Christopher Neely February 28, 2025September 26, 2025

Public outcry grows as residents urge Santa Cruz County to halt battery proposal amid Moss Landing disaster

Public outcry grows as residents urge Santa Cruz County to halt battery proposal amid Moss Landing disaster

by Christopher Neely February 26, 2025February 18, 2026

Moss Landing fire: Santa Cruz County tests see no elevated health risks; survey aims to gather info from residents

Moss Landing fire: Santa Cruz County tests see no elevated health risks; survey aims to gather info from residents

by Max Chun February 24, 2025February 18, 2026

Moss Landing battery plant fire reignites, but is under control, fire chief says

Moss Landing battery plant fire reignites, but is under control, fire chief says

by Max Chun and Tania Ortiz February 20, 2025February 18, 2026

The Moss Landing fire is a wake-up call: Assembly Bill 303 promotes community-centered clean energy

The Moss Landing fire is a wake-up call: Assembly Bill 303 promotes community-centered clean energy

by Dawn Addis February 16, 2025February 18, 2026

Moss Landing residents file lawsuit against Vistra weeks after battery facility fire

Moss Landing residents file lawsuit against Vistra weeks after battery facility fire

by Tania Ortiz February 10, 2025February 18, 2026

The Moss Landing fire – where do we go from here?

The Moss Landing fire – where do we go from here?

by John Laird February 6, 2025September 26, 2025

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