Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Storage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident raises safety concerns about proposed 600 MW battery storage project near Ontario Ranch
Summary
A resident urged council to scrutinize a planned 600-megawatt battery energy storage system proposed for a 460,000-square-foot building near Ontario Ranch, citing recent large fires at battery facilities and asking staff to apply restrictions to protect environment and air quality.
A public commenter urged the City Council to carefully review and restrict the proposed 600-megawatt battery electric storage system (BESS) planned for a 460,000-square-foot industrial building at the northwest corner of Ontario Ranch Road and Mill Creek Avenue.
Marty McBride said Roadhouse Energy Storage and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC had run social-media outreach asking residents to send pre-written letters of support and that supporters’ names could be used to show backing for clean-energy projects. McBride referenced recent advisories from federal agencies about large battery storage incidents and noted a January 16, 2025 fire at the Moss Landing facility that required evacuations. He asked the council to direct staff to consider restrictions on siting and operations that would prioritize environmental protection, air quality and safety — particularly where such facilities are near residential areas.
McBride asked the council to consider limiting impacts from hazardous incidents and to ensure local safeguards before industrial-scale energy storage is permitted or activated. City staff did not respond with a formal action during the public-comment period; the comment was recorded as part of the public-comment portion of the agenda.
