A proposed solar-and-battery project in rural San Diego County is facing fierce opposition from residents who say it could put their health, water supply, and only paved escape route at risk.
For people in Boulevard, California, the fight is not just about land use; it is about whether the clean energy transition can proceed without endangering vulnerable communities.
What happened?
Questions about the Starlight Solar Project dominated a June 16 town hall in Boulevard, where San Diego County planning staff met with residents, East County Magazine reported.
One flashpoint is where the battery facility would go. The proposed 217-megawatt lithium-ion battery energy storage system would be beside Jewel Valley Road, Boulevard’s only paved way out, in a “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.” Residents say the location could turn a battery fire into a major emergency, with explosions, toxic smoke reaching nearby neighborhoods, and families cut off as they try to evacuate…