PRUNEDALE>> A community group of about 30 gathered last week at Prunedale Grange to share their frustrations about what they feel is a lack of information in the aftermath of the Moss Landing battery plant fire.

The grassroots group of residents, calling themselves “Never Again Moss Landing,” are fueled by concerns over environmental and health impacts of the fire that broke out Jan. 16 at the Vistra Energy lithium-ion battery storage facility near the Moss Landing Harbor.

“We’re all trying to figure out what to do with this,” said Never Again Moss Landing co-founder Brian Roeder. “We’re not alone.”

“We are not against battery storage, we’re against the way it was done,” said Tonya Rivera, a co-founder of Never Again Moss Landing. At last week’s meeting, Rivera and Roeder asked attendees to break into smaller groups to talk about their experiences after the fire. “We are here to serve each other,” Roeder said.

The group raised concerns about what they felt was a lack of information and investigation into the battery fire plant. Many also expressed frustration with what they felt was a lack of communication from the county.

“They keep saying that they’re going to release information, and the only information that we get is from the group,” said Michelle Clary, who lives in the area with her livestock.

Liza Schmidt, a Moss Landing resident, shared highlights of her group’s discussion with the room. She called for an environmental impact report into the battery plant to determine what health and environmental impacts it could have on its surroundings. Residents are concerned the fire could have released hazardous particles such as PFAS and trace metals such as cobalt, manganese and nickel. Multiple people voiced concerns that these metals could be making them feel sick.

Since the fire, locals have been complaining of eye irritation, migraines and respiratory distress. Never Again Moss Landing began as a Facebook page for people to share their symptoms after the fire, and many people report they are still experiencing adverse effects months later.

“Even to this day, it feels like I’ve got grit around my eyeball,” said Ron Nance, who lived in the area when the fire broke out. “I’m wondering if whatever happened caused my eye to puff up. And maybe that’s the pressure I’m feeling, the discomfort I’m feeling.”

The blaze broke out near where Schmidt lived on a boat with her fiancé, two daughters and a baby on the way. “We could all taste metal. We started having headaches. I said to my girls, we’re not going back,” Schmidt said.

The Never Again Moss Landing community raised money to relocate Schmidt, who is now in her third trimester, and her family.

“Even when we moved into our new location for the first week, my kid complained about her chest hurting,” Schmidt said.

Roeder is also moving away from Prunedale with his 7-year-old son and his wife, who has suffered migraines since the fire broke out.

But not everyone who was affected by the fire has the means to relocate, Roeder said. “Angie and I have been able to get out,” he said. “Most of you guys can’t get out.”

Bruce Thomas, who lives on his boat southwest of the facility, feels panic every day, but is unable to relocate due to limited funds. “I have all kinds of things going on in my eyes, really messed up. They’ve never been like this before,” Thomas said.

Many of those who have felt sick feel that more action is needed. Roeder and another volunteer spoke to the room about how to collect hair samples. They hope those samples could eventually be tested for heavy metals, which could potentially be a cause of their symptoms.

Group members seemed confused and in shock as many reported these symptoms but have not heard any instructions about what to do next from the County of Monterey.

“The County dismisses the adverse health reports, but there are 4,000 people on our symptoms page that have problems,” said Rivera.

“They’re not even addressing any of the health concerns from the community,” said Clary, who owns over seven acres and several livestock in Royal Oaks. She experienced a metallic taste in her mouth, burning eyes and shortness of breath after the fire. She evacuated her animals in trailers after the smoke plume seemed to be traveling over her property.

The County of Monterey Health Department did release a survey, which was open from Feb. 19 through March 17, to assess residents’ symptoms. They collected over 1,500 responses, and plan to release more details on the County fire website, according to the county’s March 18 update on the incident (read here: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=139292&t=638780880911175868).

The report also outlines a possible Community Sampling Plan, which would consist of further water, soil and dust sampling. Such sampling will help inform a “comprehensive Human Health Risk Assessment,” according to the document.

The county has announced plans to continue environmental monitoring. Still, many of the people who attended the Never Again Moss Landing meeting feel left behind. They worry that the fire has had adverse health effects on their community, and that the county and state haven’t done sufficient investigation.

“The EPA and everybody else just says everything’s fine,” Clary said. “There’s not a whole lot of answers and we’re not getting much support.”

The county has made initial efforts to share information with the public, but according to the group members, it is not enough. The county held a town hall on March 16 to share information and answer questions. Panelists included representatives from Vistra, PG&E and several government agencies, as well as Monterey County District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church and a representative from District 17 State Senator John Laird’s office.

Many group members, including Schmidt, participated in the meeting, voicing their concerns over the safety of the community and the next steps that can be taken. According to Rivera, attending these meetings has been fruitless so far.

“So you are not making the efforts or taking opportunity to talk to (the group)?” Rivera said. “They know who we are, and we invite them. We feel a little ignored.”

Never Again Moss Landing has the ultimate goal of making sure their voices are heard as local officials figure out what to do next. They feel that figures such as Laird, and others have not been on the ground fighting alongside them. “Yesterday we were in Monterey County protesting John Laird’s absence,” Roeder said. “Where’s John?”

“John’s gone,” the room called back to him. Laird has been involved in responding to the fire, and has met with Roeder and Rivera, according to Roeder. In March, he introduced the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which aims to increase safety regulations for battery energy storage, or BESS, facilities (read the press release here: https://sd17.senate.ca.gov/news/senator-john-laird-introduces-clean-energy-safety-act-2025-strengthen-battery-energy-storage). Still, Never Again Moss Landing feels they have not been sufficiently involved in drafting the bill.

“John’s working behind the scenes, great, but he’s not here in our community,” Roeder said. “He’s not representing us. He’s not hearing us.”

The group has been in communication with Supervisor Church. “Glenn Church is fighting for every single person in this room,” Rivera said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better advocate for us as far as …government goes.” According to Rivera and Roeder, Church has played a role in talking to the state and other legislators about ensuring community input is factored into future plans.

Speculations about green energy and what having a battery facility so close to a community were raised by the group. “When one battery catches on fire it can catch 100,000 batteries on fire. So what do we need to do to stop that?” Rivera said.

For many locals, safety needs to be a priority if they are to feel comfortable with the battery system resuming its operations. “They have to get control of it,” said Nance. “Make the storage battery facilities safe, so this here doesn’t happen again.”

The group’s next event, which will be hosted in the Prunedale Grange on Thursday, will aim to address some of the community’s unanswered questions. Prunedale-based activist Ed Mitchell will present the group’s investigative report, titled “What Happened and Why.” Ultimately, the group wants answers, and to feel safe in their homes.

“We want you guys to let us know where we go next,” said Roeder.