SLO County Supervisors discuss board position for proposed State legislation on battery storage facilities

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday and among the items discussed was proposed legislation regarding battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Supervisors considered whether or not to support or oppose a handful of bills that have been submitted by state legislators, including a pair involving BESS facilities.

"Today the Board of Supervisors talked about our legislative platform that informs our lobbying efforts at the state," said Fourth District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding.

For several minutes, each of the five supervisors spoke about AB 303, the Battery Energy Safety and Accountability Act, which is proposed by Central Coast Assembly member Dawn Addis.

According to the Board of Supervisors agenda, his bill restores local control over the permitting of large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), ensuring that communities have a say in significant energy projects being sited near them. By eliminating the CEC’s opt-in authority for BESS projects, this bill returns decision-making powerto local governments, allowing them to carefully evaluate projects based
on local land use priorities and public input. It is essential that these decisions remain in the hands of the communities most affected, rather than bypassing local government through state-level approvals. AB 303strikes the right balance between advancing California’s clean energygoals and respecting the voices of local residents.

At the end of the discussion, supervisors voted to remain neutral on AB 303.

First District Supervisor John Peschong called the bill "half-baked," since it appears there are still too many details that need to be worked out.

"I was the supervisor that asked that this be put on our legislative platform," said Paulding. "It was unfortunate to see that I didn't have the full board support to encourage our lobbyists to advocate in support of this legislation."

Another bill up for debate was SB 283, which is being supported by State Senator John Laird, who represents a majority of San Luis Obispo County.

According to the Board of Supervisors agenda, the bill ensures battery energy storage systems meet the highest safety standards while advancing California’s clean energy goals. By requiring compliance with NFPA 855 fire safety standards, mandating collaboration with local fire authorities, and enforcing rigorous safety inspections, this bill prioritizes public safety and emergency preparedness. Recent incidents, like the Moss Landing fire, highlight the need for stronger safeguards to protect communities and first responders. SB 283 strikes a critical balance between expanding clean energy and ensuring these projects are safe, responsible, and locally coordinated.

Tuesday's discussion comes less than three months after a significant fire took place at a battery storage facility in Moss Landing in Monterey County, as well as the recent debate regarding the new Cabellero battery plant in Nipomo.

"I think it's important for the community to understand that when we talk about battery energy storage systems, the technology has improved," said Paulding. "In the case of the Caballero project in Nipomo, there is different technology than the Moss Landing incident. However, I'm still committed to making sure that we have state legislation that allows for local control and ensures that we make these facilities as safe as possible for the community."

According to the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department, the Caballero just took a major step forward to begin operations.

“We gave a operational permit, maybe a week and a half ago to the Caballero battery storage to commence operations, which I believe they should have started on April 1st," said Kevin McLain, CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department Battalion Chief Fire Marshal.

News Channel 3-12 reached out to the owner of the plant, Houston-based Alpha Omega Renewables to inquire about the operational status of the Caballero plant and received an email response from Guillaume Dufay, the company's Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder.

"We are working with a very tight control from Cal-Fire so their information is very up to date," said Dufay. "The site is currently providing very much needed Energy Capacity to the PG&E network, and effectively reducing carbon intensity of power in the area by absorbing excess (green) solar power during daytime and returning it to the grid during evening peaks, thus offsetting the need for thermal generation."