Battery fires show local storage not a good idea

As I drove by the scorched wreckage at the Moss Landing power station, I was reminded of the decades of safe power it had supplied us before it was converted to battery storage. The explanation for the fire was that “older chemistry” was the problem and it shouldn’t happen again.

Last year, 50 Rivian EVs burned in the factory parking lot, and two auto carriers documented to be carrying EVs at sea burned with the loss of over 6,000 vehicles. Was that “old chemistry” at fault? At least one shipping line is cutting back on carrying EVs until all lines can figure out a way to extinguish EV fires before they destroy cargo and/or sink the ship.

Considering these events and many more throughout the world, does it seem like a good idea to install LI battery storage near Aptos High School, or near any occupied area for that matter?

— Dennis Case, Aptos

The many dangers of battery storage alters view

The Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment meeting with Dr. Mark Jacobson, stressed the importance of moving to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Unfortunately, Jacobson shared no data on the danger of lithium-ion battery storage.

The Vistra fire at the world’s largest lithium-ion battery storage, has drastically altered my view of battery storage technology. The fire led to a toxic airborne event. It had a profound economic impact: closing and rerouting of a major state thoroughfare — Highway 1 — along with business closings and neighborhoods being evacuated. We do not know the environmental and health impact. Think of DDT, acid rain, etc.

I am concerned the destructive policies of the Trump administration, cutting funding from renewable projects unless implemented quickly, may lead to approval of battery storage in our neighborhoods.

How can a technology with risk of fire, and no current method for fire suppression, be approved next to farm fields, a high school and hospital?

Join me in asking for a firm NO on battery storage in Santa Cruz County.

— Kathleen McCreesh, Aptos

Traffic nightmare: Murray Street bridge closure

I live in Seabright, on the Eastside. I’m just wondering who at the city of Santa Cruz oversees traffic decisions.

As the entire town is aware, the Murray Street Bridge estimated closure is three years. It must have been the cheapest bid. The traffic on Soquel is horrendous, and feeder streets are even worse. Recently someone at the city decided putting a “NO TURN ON RED” sign at Seabright and Soquel would be a good idea. Luckily most people haven’t realized it’s there and turn anyway. Picture bumper-to-bumper traffic back to Broadway, and no turn on red at Seabright. Brilliant decision.

Frederick Street is also bumper to bumper, back to and along Broadway. Next, they’ll decide to put a NO TURN ON RED sign at Frederick too.

This is not helping traffic, it’s creating a nightmare.

Please, for the sake of our sanity remove the sign at Seabright and start working nights to get the bridge completed. The Golden Gate Bridge took four years to build, so why is it taking three years for the Murray Street Bridge?

— Robin De Alvarez, Santa Cruz

New bike lanes on Soquel Drive are less safe

I commuted by bicycle from Aptos to Santa Cruz over 15 years for work.

The county has just added a protected bike lane with white plastic bollards and various green paint markings along Soquel Drive at Cabrillo College, removing the on-street parking there in the process.

It’s odd that this was done where there has never been a problem with cycling and sharing the road while the treacherous Aptos Village and bridges were ignored … those are the dangerous areas.

The new lane pylons made me feel “tunnelized” and I found myself unable to relax into the ride with the need to vigilantly stay centered.

There’s no room for two bicycles and bike traffic has to move into the car lane to pass other cyclists.

Somehow these “improvements” make me feel less safe. Plus there was no reason to remove the free parking along Soquel Drive.

I’m interested in other cyclists’ comments, please write in.

— Pureheart Steinbruner, Aptos