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Public commenter urges Dana Point to oppose AB 303 and nearby lithium battery storage facilities
Summary
A member of the public urged the council to oppose Assembly Bill 303 and the siting of large lithium battery storage facilities near neighborhoods, citing fire risks, chemical contamination and calls for local control.
During the public comment period on Feb. 18, resident Mary Herron urged the Dana Point City Council to oppose Assembly Bill 303 (AB 303) and to speak out against large lithium battery energy storage facilities sited near residential neighborhoods.
Herron said she supports state and local measures that would limit the placement of battery storage facilities near homes, schools and water sources. She expressed concern about past fires involving battery storage that she said released toxic chemicals and endangered first responders, and she asserted that many such projects have limited on-site continuous monitoring for chemical emissions or runoff.
Herron told the council that several nearby jurisdictions and community groups have expressed opposition to large storage facilities and asked Dana Point to join “California for Safe Energy Storage” and similar efforts. She also requested that the council consider sending a letter to Assemblymember Laurie Davis and to the California Energy Commission (CEC) expressing local opposition and seeking protections for nearby communities.
The council did not take action on the request during the meeting; the item was delivered as public comment and the transcript does not record a staff response committing to a council position.
