“This is a lot more than a fire. It’s really a wake-up call for this industry.” These were the remarks from Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church as the county of Monterey proclaimed an emergency due to the largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Facility in the world catching fire on January 16, 2025. More than 1,200 residents evacuated, people reported health issues from emissions, toxic runoff permeated the area, the facility’s fire suppression system failed, calls for investigation by the state legislature occurred, and local highways, schools, and businesses were disrupted due to closures.

As someone entrusted by the voters to serve in elected office for 20 years, my heart breaks when the lives and wellbeing of our residents are harmed as a result of poor policy decisions. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technology has been championed by clean energy advocates for its ability to capture and store energy generated from renewable sources like wind and solar that can be used to power the grid when needed. On paper this sounds great. Who wouldn’t support increased grid reliability and saving money on our electric bills?

The costs of utilities, along with almost everything else, are skyrocketing in California. Our Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy, is doing commendable work to lower energy costs. However, the reality is battery storage facilities raise serious concerns for public safety and the environment.

Orange County residents know all too well that the risks of wildfires are an everyday part of our lives. Fire season is year-round and not changing any time soon.

While the battery storage facility that caught fire in Monterey is in a relatively low fire risk area, the same cannot be said for a proposed BESS project in San Juan Capistrano. The location for this proposed project borders the city of Laguna Niguel and is adjacent to dry open space areas.

You might ask why Battery Storage Energy System facilities in particular pose a danger. The answer is simple. The lithium-ion battery technology used in these facilities generate their own oxygen, which means water will help cool down a blaze, but rarely extinguishes the flames. The best our firefighters can do is contain these fires and let them burn out. A 2024 battery facility fire in San Diego was initially extinguished in 24 hours but reignited twice and finally smoldered out after 5 days.

Both the cities of San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel oppose the proposed project in Orange County but have little power to stop it. This is because of Assembly Bill 205, a law passed by the State of California in 2022 that allows the California Energy Commission and California Coastal Commission to bypass local zoning rules to approve these types of large energy projects. Concerns by our communities and hundreds of local residents have not been addressed.

Our local residents and officials understand the risks of wildfires and the safety needs of our community more than appointed state bureaucrats, despite their well-meaning intentions. This will not stop me from taking action.

As the vice chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, embracing sustainable energy systems is a top priority for me, but not at the expense of neighborhood safety. At the January 28th meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the board will consider an urgency ordinance I introduced to place a temporary moratorium on all BESS developments in unincorporated Orange County. The temporary moratorium will give the County of Orange and the Orange County Fire Authority time to work together to study and draft safety standards and regulations for the board to adopt in order to allow for responsible future BESS developments. Governing is about balance and working towards the greater good for all.

I have spearheaded the development of our first climate action plan and initiated sustainability efforts that expand our economy and protect the environment. I agree with the concept behind sustainable energy storage, but it must not be at the cost of our safety. I encourage residents and local officials to lobby your state representatives to amend AB 205 and submit comments to the CEC on developments circumventing local controls. We must have the ability to provide guidance on where BESS facilities can responsibly develop. With dry conditions and wildfires of all sizes appearing early, we must act now to prevent a future catastrophe.

Katrina Foley is vice chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and a director of the Orange County Fire Authority.