Packed public turns out as Vacaville reviews draft battery‑energy‑storage ordinance; residents press for ban or larger setbacks

The Planning Commission held a study session on Nov. 18 to review a draft ordinance that would regulate utility‑scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) within Vacaville city limits.

Staff summarized the state policy drivers (SB 100, AB 205 and SB 245), explained the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) opt‑in certification pathway that can limit local review, and outlined a draft municipal ordinance modelled on Solano County’s approach. The draft would conditionally permit BESS in certain zones outside high fire severity areas, require minimum buffers from sensitive receptors (the draft used a 300‑foot buffer), require hazard analyses, emergency‑response and decommissioning plans, public‑benefit agreements for larger projects, and specify a formal preliminary application and public‑meeting process.

Commissioners questioned why staff recommended a 300‑foot buffer; staff said the distance came from jurisdictional practice and technical guidance and reflected a compromise intended to be defensible while avoiding complete exclusion that would push applicants to the CEC opt‑in. Commissioner Beaumont asked if a larger buffer (some speakers requested 1,000 feet) would simply drive applicants to use the CEC opt‑in; staff said providers have used both approaches and that the CEC process is rigorous but available.

Public comment ran more than two hours. Speakers from Brighton Landing, Elmira/Leisure Town and other neighborhoods urged the commission to ban lithium‑ion batteries outright or to limit siting to remote industrial parks. Common concerns included thermal runaway, toxic gases released by high‑temperature battery fires (speakers repeatedly cited incidents elsewhere), potential plume impacts to hospitals, rail and Interstate 80, firefighter training and equipment needs, evacuation complexity, and adverse effects on homeowners’ insurance and property values. A representative of local firefighters had previously issued warnings (cited by speakers) about documented risks and resource impacts for such fires.

Many commenters urged stronger ordinance provisions: mandatory non‑lithium chemistries, larger buffers, industrial‑zone siting only, ironclad financial guarantees for remediation and decommissioning, and explicit city control over community‑benefit negotiations. Some speakers asked that the city require any project to dedicate a percentage of output to Vacaville and to provide multi‑year funding for local emergency services and training.

Staff emphasized the draft is out for a 45‑day public comment period (Nov. 7–Dec. 22) and will be presented to City Council (study session scheduled Dec. 9) before returning to the commission for action in January and council readings in March/April; the council adopted a moratorium earlier to provide staff time for ordinance development (moratorium ends May 14, 2026). Staff said the ordinance could be revised in response to public comment and council direction; staff also noted that thorough project‑level hazard analyses and peer review would be required if applicants propose a BESS within city limits.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify how the draft defines sensitive receptors and to consider additional definitions for regionally significant infrastructure (rail, interstate) that merit special setbacks. Staff agreed to consider those refinements when producing revisions for council review.

No formal action was taken; the session was informational and the draft ordinance remains under public review.