The Monterey County Board of Supervisors will vote on a set of recommendations from an ad hoc committee including a proposal to prohibit future indoor battery storage facilities.

Formed in early February, the committee — led by Supervisors Glenn Church (District 2) and Kate Daniels (District 5) — has met with city staff multiple times. Their goal was to facilitate discussions with department heads, including those from other counties, to explore ways to prevent future fires.

Among the committee’s five recommendations is urging the county to formally oppose any future indoor battery storage sites. Church has also hinted at pushing for more rigid legislation alongside California Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, who introduced the Battery Energy Safety & Accountability Act in January. The bill would remove battery energy storage facilities from the California Energy Commission’s opt-in certification program, returning decision-making power to local communities on whether to approve new projects.

The committee will also call for existing battery storage facilities to meet the highest industry standards, including transitioning to safer battery technology, such as non-lithium alternatives.

One of the key concerns raised by both county supervisors and the public is thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. Once ignited, the batteries can enter an uncontrollable chain reaction, making it difficult — if not impossible — for firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Concerns intensified when officials revealed that the Moss Landing fire had to burn itself out, raising alarms about prolonged smoke exposure and the potential contamination of soil and water by heavy metals.

The other recommendations include:

Calling for Vistra to work with county officials on a remediation and recovery plan.Urging Vistra and Pacific Gas & Electric to remain offline until the cause of the fire is determined and safety measures are in place.

Preventing both companies from expanding their facilities until state legislation is updated.

The Board of Supervisors will meet at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 25 in the Board Chambers, 168 W. Alisal Street, Salinas. The meeting will be streamed online and can be watched via Zoom at https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/224397747.