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Board approves 90‑day moratorium to develop rules for large‑scale battery energy storage in unincorporated Orange County
Summary
Supervisors voted unanimously to impose a 90‑day moratorium on permitting new large‑scale battery energy storage systems in unincorporated county areas while staff and the Orange County Fire Authority develop safety and zoning regulations; the move followed hours of public comment for and against proposed facilities.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 28 to adopt an urgency ordinance temporarily halting new permitting for large‑scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) on county land while county staff, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and industry partners draft safety and siting regulations.
The 90‑day moratorium — framed by vice chair Katrina Foley as a short pause to allow the county to “develop a zoning program just like we would any other type of use” — drew extensive public comment both supporting and opposing new storage facilities.
Supporters from the energy industry and the county’s local power authority told the board that advances in battery technology (notably lithium iron phosphate chemistries) and…
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