Committee advances bill to require emergency-action plans with energy facility applications

Assemblymember Davies presented AB 615 and the committee advanced the measure to the Committee on Utilities and Energy.

Under current law, battery energy storage facilities must have emergency response and action plans coordinated with local emergency agencies, but, as the author noted, developers are not uniformly required to submit a full emergency action plan as part of their initial CEC application. AB 615 would require submission of facility emergency-action plans with initial applications and early coordination with local first responders so the Energy Commission and local agencies can assess site safety and mitigation before operations begin.

Davies cited the Moss Landing battery‑storage fire, which Monterey County officials said released a plume containing hydrogen fluoride and prompted a local evacuation, as the type of incident that renewed concern about siting and the importance of timely safety information.

Support from California Professional Firefighters and other fire-service groups was recorded. No organized opposition spoke at the hearing. The author said the bill contains no appropriation and asked for an aye vote. The committee recorded unanimous support and advanced the measure to Utilities and Energy for further review.

Clarifying details: the bill, as discussed in committee, focuses on submission timing and early local coordination. It does not itself adopt new siting standards or require appropriation; additional rulemaking and CEC review would inform implementation.