Lookout PM: Moss Landing battery storage fire one year later, and the RTC moves to cut ties with Progressive Rail

Welcome to Friday night’s Lookout PM.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

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

By Tania Ortiz

People who live near Moss Landing still have more questions than answers about the massive fire that started Jan. 16, 2025, at the world’s second-largest battery storage facility.

RTC moves to terminate agreement with Progressive Rail, speed construction of rail trail

In a move aimed at speeding construction of the Coastal Rail Trail, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission announced that it is moving to terminate its agreement with current Santa Cruz Branch Line rail operator Progressive Rail and become the common carrier on a portion of the line.

Retired Santa Cruz physician joins national board of Doctors for America

By Ashley Palma-Jimenez

Santa Cruz resident Dr. Jeoffry Gordon has been named to the national board of directors of Doctors for America, a national nonprofit that advocates for policies that improve the health of patients and communities.

Candlelight vigil in Santa Cruz to honor victims of Iran protests

By Grace Chinowsky

Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson and UC Santa Cruz students plan to gather at the downtown clocktower on Saturday evening to honor those who have died in Iran’s antigovernment protests.

Will Trump’s push to drill on California public lands be more successful this time around?

By Blanca Begert / Inside Climate News

The Bureau of Land Management has revived its effort to open more of California’s public lands to oil extraction. But its strategy has changed little since the agency’s earlier attempt in 2019, and drillers might not be interested.

Credit: Annika Hammerschlag / Associated Press

In a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the sea

By Annika Hammerschlag / Associated Press

A Southern California company is planning a facility that would use natural ocean pressure to power reverse osmosis — a process that forces seawater through membranes to filter out salt and impurities — and produce up to 60 million gallons of freshwater daily.

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