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Orange County extends temporary moratorium on large battery-storage permits as safety rules are drafted
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved an interim moratorium on permits for utility-scale battery energy storage systems in unincorporated county areas to give staff time to develop permitting, siting and safety standards after recent high-profile battery fires. Utilities and residents urged collaborative rulemaking; the measure passed.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on March 11 approved an extension of an interim urgency moratorium on permits for utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in unincorporated parts of the county to allow staff and public-safety agencies time to develop permitting standards.
Supervisor Katrina Foley, who led the item, said the pause is intended to let the county work with the Orange County Fire Authority and local utilities to produce consistent siting and safety rules. "We're trying to be collaborative about this," Foley said, noting staff meetings with SDG&E and Southern California Edison and with city partners to develop a model ordinance.
Why it matters: Large-scale battery facilities are being proposed across California to support grid reliability, but recent incidents such as the Moss Landing fire raised concerns about fire suppression, toxic smoke, evacuation planning and long-duration incidents that can burn for days. Residents and public-safety advocates told the board the county should treat large-scale battery sites as industrial hazardous installations for permitting and environmental review.
What the board decided: Supervisors moved to extend the temporary moratorium so county staff can propose concrete code and permit language; Foley described the extension period as roughly ten months plus 15 days to complete analysis and outreach. Utilities including Southern California Edison and SDG&E told the board they want standards that allow safe, reliable facilities while protecting neighbors; Edison said most of its local BESS are outdoor, low-enclosure designs that use active safety systems.
Public reaction: Speakers representing community groups urged caution and stronger CEQA review. "We ask please don't let that happen to us," said a speaker referencing the Moss Landing fire. Utility representatives said they would participate in rulemaking and supply technical expertise.
Next steps: County staff will work with OCFA, utilities and cities to draft permitting standards; proposed ordinances and any needed budget requests would return to the board for vote. The moratorium remains in place while that work proceeds.
No new county policy beyond the moratorium was adopted today; the board voted to extend the pause and direct staff to produce draft regulations and an implementation plan.
