Moss Landing, CA — Recent events at the battery plant in Moss Landing, California, where a fire first ignited in January and subsequently rekindled a month later, have thrust the community into a tidal wave of health and safety concerns, regulatory warnings, and a legal battle involving renowned environmental advocate Erin Brockovich. After the blaze, which necessitated the evacuation of approximately 1,200 residents, ongoing adverse health effects such as headaches, nausea, and sore throat have persisted among the populace.
Authorities, including the health departments of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, are leading a community health survey in coordination with the California Department of Public Health. The survey, concluding on Friday, seeks to evaluate the breadth of health impacts attributed to the fire.
As cleanup efforts continue at the site, the Environmental Protection Agency has cautioned that the potential for additional flare-ups remains. To combat this threat, a dedicated private fire company along with air resource monitors are maintaining vigilant surveillance of the area 24/7.
Amidst these developments, environmental activist Erin Brockovich has aligned with a San Diego law firm to represent Moss Landing residents in a lawsuit against energy company Vistra and other parties, including PG&E, which operates another energy storage facility at the site. While Vistra maintains that its tests of local air, soil, and water reveal no public health hazards, Brockovich suggests that the firm might be withholding important data.
The lawsuit highlights elevated levels of hazardous substances such as cobalt, manganese, nickel, and copper in preliminary state data, levels that surpass federal EPA risk thresholds for residential soils. It also critiques the plant’s fire-suppression capabilities as insufficient.
Adding to Brockovich’s concerns is the rapid progression of California’s clean energy initiatives, which she fears might overlook critical safety evaluations, potentially leading to more frequent and severe incidents. She commented on the urgency and oversight within the state’s push for cleaner energy solutions, stressing that such haste could yield dire repercussions, especially under adverse weather conditions like the Santa Ana winds.
In response to growing worries, legislation aimed at ensuring community safety around such facilities has been introduced. Assemblywoman Dawn Addis from Morro Bay proposed a bill (AB 303) that seeks a prohibition on establishing new battery storage plants within 3,200 feet of residential areas, schools, businesses, and healthcare facilities.
Compounding these local safety concerns is the statewide ambition to expand battery plant operations for energy storage. At least a dozen more battery facilities are planned across California, raising further alarm about safety measures and the health of residents living in close proximity to these sites.
As the Moss Landing case continues to unfold, the dialogue surrounding the implementation of clean energy solutions is expected to intensify, highlighting the delicate balance between innovative energy progress and environmental and public health.
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