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Committee advances bill requiring energy storage projects to include emergency-response plans in initial applications
Summary
AB 615 would require developers of battery energy storage facilities to submit emergency response and emergency action plans as part of initial applications to the California Energy Commission and to coordinate early with local first responders; the committee forwarded it without opposition.
AB 615, authored by Assembly Member Davies, would require developers of battery energy storage facilities to submit an emergency action plan with the initial application to the California Energy Commission (CEC) and to coordinate early with local first responders during site selection and risk assessment.
The sponsor said the change would close a gap in current law that allows a facility to be approved without the CEC receiving an emergency plan up front. Testimony cited the January fire at the Moss Landing facility, where a battery incident prompted evacuations and a plume release, renewing concern about siting and community impacts near residences and vegetation.
The bill’s author said AB 615 “is a common sense policy, public safety measure” that does not take a position on technology but focuses on ensuring safety and coordination as the technology and siting questions evolve. The California Professional Firefighters supported the bill; no opposition was recorded at the hearing. Committee members voted to send the bill to the Utilities and Energy Committee.
