If local residents were previously unaware of the dangers posed by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), their eyes were no doubt opened by the massive January 2025 fire at the Vistra energy storage facility inside the Moss Landing Power Plant.
As detailed in a BenitoLink Beyond the Grid report, the 300-megawatt facility was destroyed when an uncontrollable, self-sustaining chain reaction started a fire, which released smoke and pollutants into Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Benito counties.
On May 7, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Better Energy Storage and Safety Act (H.R. 8706), which seeks to expand the federal government’s role in researching, regulating and enhancing BESS technology for the safety of the nation’s energy grid…