SANTA CRUZ — To address one of the most contentious topics in Santa Cruz County, the Commission on the Environment organized the initial meeting out of three planned sessions dedicated exclusively to battery energy storage systems and their crucial part in shaping California’s renewable energy prospects.
The gathering, which took place Wednesday at the county Government Center, included two specialist speakers assigned to highlight the advantages and importance of battery storage. They also addressed queries from members of the public who were largely doubtful about its safety concerns.
Mark Jacobson, a Stanford University professor and prominent figure in researching renewable energy solutions, was asked to discuss why battery systems play a crucial role in shaping an emissions-free future. However, prior to delving into this topic, he stressed the importance of understanding the broader context and highlighted that rapid progress is essential.
Jacobson mentioned that approximately 7.5 million individuals globally perish every year due to air pollution, largely stemming from the combustion of fossil fuels. This statistic encompasses around 12,000 fatalities per annum in California alone.
“We must act swiftly and take all necessary actions immediately,” stated Jacobson. “Rapidity is crucial during this transition phase.”
Making the case
However, speed is important for another reason. The planet is warming fast and to avoid breaching the 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement — a threshold some researchers say is already out of reach — The world, and California specifically, has shifted towards renewable energy sourced from wind, water, and sunlight.
As per Jacobson, should California transition entirely to these renewable energy sources, the heightened efficiency could decrease the state’s total energy needs by nearly 60% come 2050 when measured against anticipated baseline scenarios. Furthermore, yearly energy expenditures might plummet approximately 68%, dropping from around $190 billion to roughly $61 billion; this shift would result in an additional 300,000 long-term job positions being generated over those eliminated. Moreover, merely about 0.8% of California's area would suffice for necessary facilities, and fatalities resulting annually from air contamination would cease completely.
However, as these technologies advance and replace fossil fuels, Jacobson noted that batteries are essential for storing surplus energy generated. This capability then enables greater scalability, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and health benefits.
The other highlighted speaker was Dennis Dyc-O'Neal, who leads power supply as the chief at Central Coast Community Energy , an organization with local governance that invests in initiatives reducing emissions and saving expenses.
Dyc-O’Neal said battery energy storage systems are especially useful when energy demands are high, but supply from renewable sources — which the state has become increasingly reliant on to achieve its climate goals — are low. Dyc-O’Neal took the historic California heat wave from 2022 as an example. The state’s energy grid met demand during the day, but as the sun disappeared and the heat dome persisted, renewable energy plummeted while residents cranked up air conditioning systems to stay cool overnight.
Rather than resorting to rolling blackouts to prevent the system’s failure, the state filled the energy shortfall using natural gas.
My query for both the commission and everyone here is this: If our aim is to eliminate natural gas usage, how can we substitute that dependable source of electrical power? Batteries represent a significant component of the answer," stated Dyc-O'Neal. "They form a crucial part of that solution.
Not convinced
Nevertheless, numerous people in the crowd remained unconvinced. Several locals expressed worries about safety, citing disastrous fire At the Moss Landing Vistra Energy power plant earlier this year, an uncontrolled fire raged for several days. Throughout this time, it released large amounts of poisonous smoke into the atmosphere.
However, learning that rapidly scaling up lithium battery storage projects is essential for the success of the climate battle did not seem like a feasible strategy to local residents like Diane Dutton-Jones.
We'd be more resilient if we were assured that you all have our backs," stated Dutton-Jones. "It seems as though you're abandoning our community for broader objectives, which contradicts my ecological principles and makes me reluctant to view this as a beneficial approach.
Multiple residents referred to a 14-acre battery. energy storage project A proposal close to Watsonville that was presented to the county sometime ago involves setting up 160 container units filled with battery storage modules. These can provide 200 megawatts of electricity to the grid, which would be sufficient to power approximately 200,000 houses for four hours.
The location of the project is at 90 Minto Road and is encircled by farmland, which longtime local resident Shirley Flores-Munoz deemed intolerable.
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in Watsonville," stated Flores-Munoz. "Do we really have to jeopardize our whole economic system in Watsonville? Everyone who works there relies on strawberry picking and apple harvesting. Is this something we can afford?
Jacobson highlighted several problems at the Moss Landing facility that contributed to the likelihood of the fire occurring, which will not recur in subsequent initiatives. Initially, he pointed out that the batteries were kept inside without sufficient spacing, enabling gas buildup. Additionally, he mentioned that following the establishment of the Moss Landing site, advancements have been made in lithium battery technology, resulting in formulations that are less prone to catching fire.
"I believe (the Moss Landing fire) was an unusual event that isn’t likely to occur frequently," stated Jacobson.
Leaders from the Minto Road initiative along with Seahawk Energy Storage are involved as well. told the Sentinel Earlier this year, they announced their intention to store the batteries inside steel enclosures equipped with heat-monitoring and fire-suppression systems as required by state regulations.
In a recent announcement, Max Christian, who leads the project at New Leaf Energy, stated that "The company filed an application for its Seahawk energy storage initiative in December 2024 and is currently working with County personnel to provide more information about the project." He added, "Simultaneously, the County is preparing the final version of an ordinance concerning battery energy storage systems, set to be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors on September 9, 2025."
Assessing risk
Although each person in the crowd was mentally weighing the pros and cons of backing battery initiatives, some decided to advocate for these projects.
Nancy Faulstich, who serves as the executive director at the environmental nonprofit Regeneración, mentioned that she resides near Minto Road and believes battery storage is essential. However, she remains concerned about potential fire hazards and feels that the community needs to alter how they approach resource usage.
"I'd rather accept the potential, though infrequent, risk of a fire at a facility than endure the constant reality of deaths caused by fossil fuels," stated Faulstich.
Other members of the audience asked the commission and the utility company to proceed cautiously with their evaluation of energy storage initiatives, allowing time for investigating alternative options like sodium-ion batteries. Jacobson stated that he lacked sufficient data about this technology to provide an informed opinion. Meanwhile, Dyc-O'Neal chose not to delve into the effectiveness debate but pointed out that sodium-based products had yet to demonstrate comparable economic feasibility compared to lithium batteries.
The power company has established a bold target to achieve full renewability by 2030 — this is ahead of the state’s requirement by fifteen years.
I don't think we should hinder progress with battery storage," stated Dyc-O'Neal, emphasizing his drive comes from the significant annual death toll due to air pollution. "It's crucial for us to analyze such events like battery fires and strive for improvement.
The upcoming meeting scheduled for the commission is from 5 to 8 p.m. on July 30. The agenda includes discussing the role and prospects of battery technology as well as addressing concerns related to public safety.
IF YOU GO
What: Workshops on battery energy storage systems, with an emphasis on understanding battery technology functions and addressing public safety concerns.
The event will take place from 5-8 p.m. on July 30.
Location: County Governmental Center, 701 Ocean Street, 5th Floor, Santa Cruz. It will also be available online. santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov.com/j/1614371967 .