ACT NOW: Urge the U&E Committee to Vote Yes on AB303

IN COMMITTEE

Message from AB303 bill author, Assembly- member Dawn Addis (Morro Bay)

Committee: Utilities & Energy

AB303 is heading to its first committee hearing (Utilities & Energy) on April 2. Letters are due on March 26. UPDATE: the bill has been pulled by the author for further discussion. The letters are helping by putting pressure on the committee to find a solution rather than voting “no.” We will continue to flood the committee members’ offices with letters and calls as they discuss the bill. See below for information on how to help. Write. Call. Share.

call committee members

Share to your networks

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one click email to committee

attend meeting in person

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contact your local representatives

days

hours

minutes

seconds left

Since the item was pulled from the April 2 committee hearing for discussion, there is no official deadline. Feel free to continue to send in your comments.

One-click template emails

These are one-click templates you can use to email the Utilities & Energy committee directly. It should open up in your default email client. If not, try “copy and paste” below.

It’s best if you modify the letter by placing your personal anecdotes or story at the beginning of the letter, not the end.

Pick one and make sure to add your name, city and county at the end. If one-click doesn’t work for you, use copy/paste below.*

OPTION 1

Let’s not normalize toxic fires in our neighborhoods for the sake of green energy. Vote Yes on AB303. (365 words)

OPTION 2

BESS developers are downplaying the risks. BESS shouldn’t be placed near homes and neighborhoods. Yes on AB303. (296 words)

OPTION 3

We all want to do the right thing about renewables, but BESS facilities require special considerations. Please consider AB303. (483 words)

ESPAÑOL

Los proyectos de almacenaje de energía no deberían perjudicar nuestra salud y calidad de vida. Vote “Si” en AB303.

Having problems with one-click? Try Copy and paste below.

Getting bounce backs or have questions? Email us: coordinator@safeenergystorage.org

Copy and paste

If one-click is not working for you, pick one of the three templates below, copy and paste it into an email message.

Customize the template (first paragraph) to make it yours. Make sure to add your name, city and County.

Pick a template:

TEMPLATE 1

Copy and paste text into your own email. Customize the subject and personalize at least the first paragraph then select addresses below. Add your name, city and county at the end.

SUBJECT:

BODY:

Battery Storage Facility siting is an environmental justice issue: Please Support AB 303

Honorable Assemblymembers:

Dear Committee Members,

I’m reaching out to you on behalf of concerned neighbors who, like me, support California’s push toward greener energy but are alarmed by the uptick in battery energy storage system (BESS) fires. According to the public industry database, they have tracked 95 BESS fires worldwide—nearly one a month since 2021—and our state alone has seen six in the last 18 months, including frightening incidents in Escondido, Valley Center, Moss Landing, Otay Mesa and Santa Ana.

When a BESS catches fire, it releases toxic fumes and dangerous levels of heavy metals, as highlighted by the recent Vistra incident which studies showed toxic levels of heavy metals in at least a 12 mile radius. This puts at risk anyone living, working, or attending school nearby. The ongoing pattern shows that while BESS technology is improving, it still poses dangers that demand stricter safety protocols and thoughtful siting criteria.

That’s why I respectfully ask you to support AB 303. Restoring local authority over BESS projects and ensuring setbacks from homes, schools, and hospitals doesn’t undermine California’s renewable energy goals—it strengthens them by fostering community trust and enhancing public safety. When a safer non-lithium battery chemistry is developed, we can revisit the placement of these facilities.

Thank you for considering my concerns. With millions of people in California concerned about this issue, I hope to see our elected officials champion AB 303 to safeguard our families and environment and earn our vote.

Respectfully,

#utilityandenergy

TEMPLATE 2

Copy and paste text into your own email. Customize the subject and personalize at least the first paragraph then select emails below. Add your name, city and county at the end.

SUBJECT:

BODY:

Energy resilience is important, but communities need to be safe: Why AB 303 Matters

Dear Chairperson Petrie-Norris and committee members,

I’m writing as a proud Californian who cares about our state’s renewable future but also about the safety of our neighborhoods. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a key component in advancing clean energy, yet the growing number of fires—six in just 18 months here in California and nearly one each month globally—cannot be dismissed. Families in Escondido, Valley Center, Moss Landing, and Otay Mesa have already experienced the stress of evacuations and shelter-in-place orders.

The recent Vistra incident, which spread unsafe concentrations of heavy metals over a 12-mile radius, demonstrates the potentially far-reaching environmental impacts of a single BESS fire. Newer container-based facilities claim they will limit the spread of fire, but even the developers admit that fires are inevitable and that it can consume at least one entire 40 foot container of lithium ion batteries. The heavy metals will be deposited nearby. These events signal the urgent need for statewide standards that keep these projects a safer distance from homes, schools, hospitals, and environmentally sensitive areas, regardless of the type of facility. At least until a safer battery chemistry is adopted that does not use unstable lithium ion technology.

AB 303 achieves exactly that. It restores local oversight (something very few developers have chosen to bypass anyway) and enforces essential safety buffers. California must forge a responsible path forward—one that incorporates renewable energy solutions without exposing families to recurring fire hazards.

Please vote in favor of AB 303 and protect our communities from avoidable risks.

Sincerely,

#utilityandenergy

PLANTILLA EN ESPAÑOL

Copie y pegue texto en su propio correo electrónico. Personaliza el asunto y personaliza al menos el primer párrafo y luego selecciona los correos electrónicos a continuación. Añade tu nombre, ciudad y condado al final.

ASUNTO:

BODY:

Solicitud Urgente: Apoye AB 303 para Proteger Nuestras Comunidades

Estimada Presidenta del Comité Petrie-Norris y miembros:

Reciba un cordial saludo. Le escribo como residente preocupado por la proliferación de proyectos de almacenamiento de energía mediante baterías (BESS, por sus siglas en inglés) en nuestro estado. Aunque reconozco la importancia de la transición hacia energías limpias, me preocupa profundamente el aumento de incendios en estos sistemas y los riesgos que representan para la salud y seguridad de nuestras comunidades.

En los últimos 18 meses, en nuestro estado, hemos visto por lo menos 6 incendios en instalaciones de BESS en lugares como Escondido, Valley Center, Moss Landing y Santa Ana, todos requiriendo evacuaciones o medidas de refugio. A nivel global, se han registrado 95 incendios en BESS, casi uno por mes desde 2021. El incendio más reciente de Vistra difundió niveles peligrosos de metales pesados hasta 12 millas a la redonda, según el LA Times, impactando gravemente al medio ambiente y la salud pública. Estas cifras y sucesos confirman que, a pesar de las promesas de tecnologías más seguras, los incendios continúan ocurriendo.

Por ello, solicito encarecidamente su apoyo para AB 303. Esta legislación garantiza que:

Se respete la autoridad local, para que cada comunidad pueda evaluar y aprobar (o no) la construcción de instalaciones BESS cerca de viviendas, escuelas, hospitales o zonas ambientales sensibles.
Se establezcan distancias mínimas (setbacks) razonables, para minimizar el riesgo de incidentes graves y salvaguardar la vida y la salud de los residentes, especialmente en áreas propensas a incendios.

El desarrollo de energías limpias es fundamental para el futuro de California, pero no debemos sacrificar la seguridad de nuestras familias y el bienestar de nuestro entorno. Con AB 303, buscamos un equilibrio responsable que proteje a las comunidades de los riesgos documentados a la vez que continúa impulsando la innovación y la transición energética.

Agradezco su atención a este asunto y le pido que vote a favor de AB 303 en el Comité de Energía y Servicios Públicos. Por favor, no dude en contactarme si requiere más información sobre las experiencias de mi comunidad o los estudios relacionados con la seguridad de BESS.

Atentamente,

#utilityandenergy

Utilities & Energy Committee

COPY AND PASTE ADDRESSES

AUTL.Committee@assembly.ca.gov, Laura.Shybut@asm.ca.gov, assemblymember.petrie-norris@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.joepatterson@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.boerner@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.calderon@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.chen@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.davies@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.gonzalez@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.harabedian@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.hart@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.irwin@assembly.ca.gov, coordinator@safeenergystorage.org, assemblymember.kalra@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.papan@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.rogers@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.schiavo@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.schultz@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.ta@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.wallis@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.zbur@assembly.ca.gov

FOR OUTLOOK ONLY

AUTL.Committee@assembly.ca.gov; Laura.Shybut@asm.ca.gov; assemblymember.petrie-norris@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.joepatterson@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.boerner@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.calderon@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.chen@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.davies@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.gonzalez@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.harabedian@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.hart@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.irwin@assembly.ca.gov; coordinator@safeenergystorage.org; assemblymember.kalra@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.papan@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.rogers@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.schiavo@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.schultz@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.ta@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.wallis@assembly.ca.gov; assemblymember.zbur@assembly.ca.gov

Getting bounce backs or have questions? Let us know ASAP at: coordinator@safeenergystorage.org

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Call Committee Members

Calling the office of the committee members is an effective way to increase your impact. If everyone calls 5 committee members, it will make a big impact. When you’re done, let us know who you called so we can keep track.

Here’s a simple message:

I’m a constituent and voter in [COUNTY] and I support AB 303 because the needs and safety of my community is at stake. I support a green energy transition, but I don’t think communities should have to shoulder the burden of facilities that catch fire regularly. This is an issue that Californians from all over the state will be paying close attention to given the frequency of toxic BESS fires throughout the state. Thanks for your consideration.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Chair, Cottie Petrie-Norris

Vice Chair, Joe Patterson

Tasha Boerner

Lisa Calderon

Phillip Chen

Laurie Davies

Mark González

John Harabedian

Gregg Hart

Jacqui Irwin

Ash Kalra

Diane Papan

Chris Rogers

Pilar Schiavo

Nick Schultz

Tri Ta

Greg Wallis

Rick Chavez Zbur

PHONE (clickable)

JURISDICTIONS

Orange

El Dorado, Placer

San Diego

Los Angeles

San Bernardino, Orange

Orange, San Diego

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, San Bernardino

Santa Barbara

Los Angeles, Ventura

Santa Clara

San Mateo

Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Sonoma

Los Angeles

Orange

Riverside, San Bernardino

Los Angeles

Click to let us know who you called

Or email us at coordinator@safeenergystorage.org

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Attend the hearing in person

If you can make it to the Sacramento area, live bodies are always more persuasive than letters or comments. Please consider taking the time to come down to the hearing in person. The larger the crowd, the better.

Location: California State Capitol, Room 437, 1315 10th Street, Sacramento, 95814 (directions)
Schedule: postponed until further notice. Wed., April 2 @1:30pm (add to calendar)
Meeting Information: https://autl.assembly.ca.gov/hearings
Agenda: https://autl.assembly.ca.gov/hearings

View the hearing virtually

Once the meeting is announced, we’ll send you an email to join with the appropriate log-in information.

Meeting link: here
Meeting ID: TBD
Meeting password: TBD

Share and mobilize

Share the link to this page on social media, in your text threads, through WhatsUp or send an email to your network of friends. If you are a member of a local Facebook group, make sure to share this link with them. The key is to share it with at least five people or in five places. www.safeenergystorage.org/actnow

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* Any emails provided or received via this website will only be used for sending out updates regarding BESS-related actions and you can opt out at any time by simply replying to any email with “opt out”.