Carlsbad council rejects Forefront feasibility contract for Merkle Reservoir, directs staff to study other sites

The Carlsbad City Council voted unanimously to reject proposals from Forefront Licensing to perform a feasibility study for a solar-plus-storage project at the Merkle Reservoir site and directed staff to return with additional site options and analysis.

Supporters of the study said a utility‑scale solar-plus-storage installation could lower operating energy costs and advance city climate goals. Opponents — many of them residents of nearby Vista and Oceanside neighborhoods — raised safety and quality‑of‑life concerns, especially about large lithium‑ion battery storage in a high fire‑severity zone and constrained emergency access.

Council heard more than a dozen public speakers during the discussion. Those urging approval included Barbara Diamond, who said the proposal “could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve our air and demonstrate leadership,” and Mike…