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Santa Barbara supervisors push for stronger local control, monitoring after Moss Landing briefing
Summary
After a detailed staff briefing and extensive public comment about the Moss Landing battery fire, the Board directed staff to support state bill AB303 restoring local permitting authority, to evaluate notice and siting rules, and to pursue air‑quality monitoring and on‑site staffing for battery storage projects.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on March 11 received a detailed briefing on battery energy storage systems and the Moss Landing fire, then directed county staff to seek stronger local controls and monitoring. The action, moved by Supervisor Joan Hartman, asks county staff to advocate for state legislation restoring local permitting authority, review notice and setback standards, explore air‑quality monitoring and on‑site staffing expectations, and develop proposals for placing battery systems on county sites.
The board held a lengthy technical presentation and public comment period about battery technology, safety standards and local projects. Robert Shaw, chief executive officer of Central Coast Community Energy, described the industry’s role and safety improvements, saying, “It has to be safe.” Fire Marshal Tan explained the technical differences…
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