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Resident warns council about risks of large lithium battery storage facility proposed nearby
Summary
A resident raised safety, corrosion and waste concerns about a proposed 1,100-container lithium battery storage facility denied by San Juan Capistrano and said the developer plans to appeal to the state; she warned of fire-fighting and insurance challenges.
Kathleen Pryor of the Laguna Heights Community Association spoke during public comment to warn the council about a proposed large lithium battery storage project that was recently denied a permit in San Juan Capistrano. Pryor described the site as roughly five miles from Doheny Harbor and noted developers told her they would apply directly to the state after local denial. She warned that lithium fires are difficult to fight and raised concerns about corrosion of galvanized steel near coastal air and the long-term disposal of battery waste.
Pryor cited developer statements that containers and lithium would be sourced from outside the U.S. and recounted technical concerns offered by experts, including that a percentage of lithium batteries become unrechargeable after 8–10 years and the facility life was estimated at about 25 years. "Lithium fires are difficult to fight and increasing in number," Pryor said, and she urged regional awareness and caution. The council took the comment as informational; no action was requested or taken at the meeting.
