As an atmospheric river passed through Monterey County on Friday, firefighters said they were keeping an eye out for flare-ups at Vistra Energy’s fire-damaged lithium-ion battery complex.
On Friday night, a hazard advisory was issued for the Moss Landing plant by the North County Fire Protection District.
About 7:30 p.m., county spokeswoman Maia Carroll issued a statement saying, “Public safety officials are monitoring the potential for flare-ups and additional fires at the Vistra site due to the atmospheric river interacting with the remaining lithium-ion batteries and debris hotspots.”
Approximately 1,200 homes in the vicinity were ordered to evacuate when the lithium-ion battery energy storage system plant caught fire on January 16. The fire destroyed around 80% of the building and its batteries.
After roughly a day, the evacuations were relaxed and no one was hurt. Following the fire, a team from San Jose State University found higher amounts of heavy metals in adjacent Elkhorn Slough, however initial federal and state air quality measures showed no hazard to people. The fire and its closeness to the delicate wetlands area had already sparked environmental worries.
One Monterey County supervisor called the fire a “Three Mile Island” event for the nascent lithium-ion battery sector the day after it broke out. The Moss Landing fire prompted Monterey County officials to declare a state of emergency on January 21st.
According to officials, a relief fund has been set up to give citizens of Monterey County affected by the battery storage facility fire $750 in gift cards.
There has been no announcement regarding the cause of the incident at what was reportedly one of the biggest battery storage facilities in the world. The failure of the plant’s internal fire suppression system was also unclear.
Vistra Corp., a Texas-based company that runs the Moss Landing plant, had its stock price soar over the past year, rising from roughly $41 to about $168 at the end of Friday’s trading session.
Additionally, PG&E maintains its own battery storage facility on the site. County Supervisor Glenn Church and other local political leaders have demanded that Vistra keep its facilities closed until the cause of the incident is identified and further preventative measures are implemented.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.