Leaders and residents voiced opposition to a proposed battery energy storage facility linked to SDG&E that they say poses significant public safety risks.
The site, in San Juan Capistrano, would include lithium-iron phosphate batteries, transformers, a switchyard and a collector substation to hook up with the San Diego Gas & Electric Trabuco to Capistrano 138-kilovolt transmission line.
Compass Energy Storage LLC is proposing to build the 250-megawatt battery energy storage system on 13 acres at Camino Capistrano and Interstate 5.
The project can be approved by the California Energy Commission, which hosted the Thursday hearing at the Capistrano Unified School District, based on a 2022 state law meant to add to California’s renewable energy efforts.
It has drawn opposition from Rep. Mike Levin – a Democrat whose district includes parts of North County and extends into Orange County – Orange County Board Vice Chairwoman Katrina Foley, San Juan Capistrano Mayor Troy Bourne and Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, R-Newport Beach.
The commission’s officials emphasized that no decision would be made during Thursday’s hearing. The project faces a vote later this year after officials continue investigating the pros and cons.
An interconnection agreement with SDG&E and the California Independent System Operator has been implemented, according to the commission. If approvals are secured, following construction of the switchyard by Compass Energy Storage LLC, ownership and operations would transfer to SDG&E.
Representatives for the project attempted to assure the public that the facility would pose little risk in case of fire. Critics have pointed to potential public safety risks with only one main access point in case of a fire.
Land use environmental attorney Renee Robin told the commission that battery storage facilities are “essential to meet the energy demand. … The biggest issue for all of us is when we have excess solar power in our grid.”
Robin said the site is especially suited for the project because it is next to an “existing transmission line we can tap into that cam accommodate 100% of the project’s energy without any curtailment. … This is a very rare commodity in California and it’s an access to that region which has to be able to address the demand which is expected to double in Orange County by 2045.”
The project could generate up to $50 million to the state, county and local government and $9 million in sales tax revenue, she said. It would require 130 construction jobs and eight permanent operational jobs on site.
Officials said the facility would feature outdoor battery containers, which would limit the risk of fire spreading.
Bourne, however, said he was actually part of an effort to redevelop the site and argued it can’t be done.
“This site cannot be safely developed and it has nothing to do with a battery storage facility,” the mayor said. “This site can’t be developed until the creek erosion problems can be solved.”
Bourne said the city supports green energy efforts.
“We accept battery storage is part of the green energy solution. We believe that to be true,” he said. “But we reject the suggestion made by the application that there is no fire danger here. This is a new technology and while I think we can (state) definitively that battery storage facilities are safer than they used to be, we can also say they’re not as safe as we would like them to be.”
Bourne, who is also on the Orange County Fire Authority board, said local firefighters “strongly oppose the project.”
Foley said she also is a big booster of renewable energy initiatives.
“We’re building a (battery energy storage system) facility at John Wayne Airport and we’re doing it the right way,” Foley said.
Se added that such systems in high-risk fire zones “have the potential to be catastrophic. … I’m here to ask the commission to deny this project at this location because of the wildfire risk it poses.
Dixon told the commission, “I would encourage you also to consider an alternative site far removed from transportation arterials and residential communities.”
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