A busy week in Santa Cruz County politics and policy kicks off with the county’s proposed ordinance on battery energy storage systems is set for a hearing before supervisors Tuesday. The Santa Cruz City Council revisits a temporary path to help businesses and residents around the Murray Street Bridge, and Capitola holds a catch-all town hall.
Battery storage
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Battery storage developer backs Santa Cruz County’s proposed new rules ahead of Tuesday vote
New Leaf Energy, the developer behind the proposed battery storage facility near Watsonville, tells Lookout that the company is hopeful the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will move ahead on new regulations for battery plants on Tuesday.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz County’s open approach to battery storage puts safety and community first
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here. Over the past year, Santa Cruz County has been doing something few communities have attempted: building one of the most rigorous, safety-focused battery energy storage ordinances in California and possibly the nation. As renewable energy grows rapidly, we […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Bruce McPherson: I support a battery energy storage ordinance that addresses climate change and ensures local safety
Former supervisor Bruce McPherson urges the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to move forward with a new battery energy storage system ordinance on Tuesday. He argues it is essential for climate action and local safety. He says the rules directly respond to the Moss Landing fire by banning volatile battery chemistries, requiring fire-safe containers and mandating strict inspections. McPherson argues that battery storage is critical to cutting fossil fuels, preventing power outages and keeping local control over projects like the one proposed on Minto Road outside Watsonville.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council wants more say in county’s battery storage ordinance
As Santa Cruz County officials work on battery storage facility regulations, members of the Watsonville City Council say they want their concerns to be heard.
Posted inEnvironment
County publishes new draft battery storage rules ahead of first hearing on Nov. 18
After delays, Santa Cruz County officials publish more stringent plans to regulate battery storage facilities ahead of the first public hearings on on the proposed new rules Nov. 18.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘We’re asking for safeguards’: Tensions flare at Watsonville town hall on planned Santa Cruz County battery storage safety law
Weeks before the board of supervisors is scheduled to have the first hearing on a proposed battery storage ordinance, District 4 County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez hosted the informational town hall Monday night at Watsonville’s city hall. Residents came armed with questions — and concerns.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Developer New Leaf assures Watsonville officials its battery storage project would meet safety standards
Massachusetts-based New Leaf Energy briefed the Watsonville City Council this week on details of its proposed $200 million battery storage facility, saying the project would meet all local and statewide requirements.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom signs Laird’s battery storage safety bill in wake of Moss Landing fire
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law, authored by state Sen. John Laird, requiring battery storage developers to coordinate with local fire departments before submitting an application for their projects, following a massive fire at a facility in Moss Landing.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County supervisors will take up Watsonville battery storage plant safety issues Nov. 18
After the Moss Landing battery plant fire, New Leaf Energy’s plan to build a storage facility outside Watsonville has gotten more controversial. As Santa Cruz County’s environment commission finalizes its recommendations, the board of supervisors will decide how to move forward in November.