Monterey Co. battery plant fire raises air quality, toxic metal concerns as images capture aftermath
MOSS LANDING, Calif. (KGO) -- The fire at the battery storage facility at Moss Landing is generating a great deal of questions and concerns.
The Moss Landing site sparked on Jan. 16 and lasted several days, prompting evacuations.
On Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors heard from alarmed residents and received a presentation from Monterey County on the event.
"I'm sure like many of you my tongue still tastes like metal," one public speaker said.
The presentation contained photos of the damage, a first glimpse of what the facility looks like after it burned for days.
RELATED: Monterey County unanimously approves state of emergency after Moss Landing fire
A representative with Monterey Bay Air Resources District talked about the air quality, saying they feel fairly confident they did not see anything out of the ordinary after the fire.
Pollution Control Officer Richard Stedman says they need to know more about what materials the batteries were made of.
"Next we need more information on the quantity of materials and toxics that are there because you could do a mass balance and look at the distribution of those materials and the environment," Stedman said.
When it comes to what is in the ground after this battery facility fire- scientists have found unusually high levels of toxic metals in soils at Elkhorn Slough. The findings were released Monday by a team of researchers at San Jose State's Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.
"This is an opportunity to understand what will happen in a large battery storage facility burning what we can do to understand the consequences of such an event," said Professor Ivano Aiello, Chairperson of SJSU Geological Oceanography.
Brad Watson, Vistra Energy's Senior Director of Community Affairs, was at the meeting to answer questions from Supervisors.
RELATED: Monterey County unanimously approves state of emergency after Moss Landing fire
He said their next step in the process will be to remove batteries from the building.
Whether this battery storage facility will return to operation is to be determined.
"We haven't made any decisions yet we are going to work through this investigation and consult with our teams before any restart is considered," Watson said.
Both supervisors and members of the public hope that the results of conclusive testing come quickly. They are especially questioning the immediate impacts on the air, water and soil.
Lawmakers and regulators are also analyzing the fire and looking to pass legislation to prevent further incidents.
In the wake of the fire, the California Public Utilities Commission has proposed new standards for battery energy storage facilities.
In a statement on Tuesday, the CPUC also said it has deployed its Safety and Enforcement Division to the Moss Landing site last Wednesday to investigate the fire.
At issue is the adequacy and enforcement of a 2024 state law that requires facility owners and operators to create emergency response action plans in concert with local agencies.
If the commission votes to approve the proposal at its March 13 meeting, it will set new standards for the maintenance and operation of battery facilities and increase oversight over emergency response action plans, according to the CPUC.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
