Malibu council approves FEMA subapplication for battery backups at high‑traffic PCH signals

The Malibu City Council on Sept. 8 authorized staff to submit a FEMA hazard‑mitigation subapplication to add battery‑bank cabinets at critical Pacific Coast Highway signals, a project staff said would give traffic lights up to 52 hours of backup power during outages.

Public Works staff described the project as a stand‑alone cabinet paired with lithium battery banks that would automatically power the signal controller after utility outages, replacing the current reliance on portable, gas‑powered generators. Staff said the total project cost is $600,000, with FEMA covering $450,000 and the city providing a local match of $150,000 if the award is made. “This is a hazard mitigation grant offered by FEMA… the state is the applicant to FEMA and the city is a subapplication,” staff explained.

Council members pressed staff on whether Caltrans — which manages PCH signals — or Southern California Edison would contribute. Staff said they had discussed the project with Caltrans and would pursue letters of support and matching funds where possible, but Caltrans was not applying directly. A councilmember asked whether the units would provide a blinking/flash mode or full signal operation; staff said the cabinets would keep signals in flashing operation for safety during prolonged outages.

After questions about why the project focuses on PCH rather than other intersections, the council voted to approve submitting the subapplication and directed staff to return with a detailed implementation and funding plan should the city be awarded the grant. The vote passed unanimously.