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Los Banos residents raise safety concerns over battery storage project approved near city
Summary
At the City Council public forum, resident Mary Hannes warned that a 15‑acre battery energy storage system (BESS) approved by the Merced County Planning Commission could pose wildfire and access risks for Los Banos, citing the recent Moss Landing fire and calling for local oversight and firefighter preparedness.
Mary Hannes, a resident of Los Banos, urged the City Council during the public forum to take note of a battery energy storage system approved by the Merced County Planning Commission that will sit about nine miles south of the city.
Hannes said the technology behind large, utility‑scale battery storage is “still relatively new” and warned of fire risks, telling the council: “Imagine, if you will, a fire similar to the recent Moss Landing fire happening 9 miles south of town.” She said local firefighters are untrained for that type of blaze, that fires of this kind “cannot be put out with water,” and that…
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