A growing coalition of citizens from across California seeking common sense regulations to protect communities from the harmful consequences of Battery Energy Storage Fires. 12 counties so far, representing 21 million people


Californians for Safe Energy Storage is a coalition of leaders across 12 counties representing approximately 21 million people across the state (and growing). We seek to empower communities to demand safer and appropriately-sited Battery Energy Storage facilities.

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Who are we?

We’re ordinary citizens from a growing list of California counties representing approximately 21 million Californians who are urging our state lawmakers to pay attention to the public safety and environmental issues surrounding battery energy storage facilities. Lawmakers and the CPUC are very responsive to the energy industry lobbyists and campaign funders but not to the actual constituents who get them elected. 


It’s time for our elected representatives to represent us and not the special interests. 

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What’s the risk?

96 large-scale lithium-ion BESS fires have occurred in the past decade or so, at least one per month since 2018. The industry itself makes very clear about the fact that fire risk cannot be eliminated. “Let it burn” is their answer to battery energy storage fires, and that is not acceptable in residential or sensitive areas. Aside from the toxic nature of lithium ion battery fires, they are hugely disruptive to communities who have to evacuate suddenly without notice. Statistically, larger facilities (1,000 MWh) have about a 20% chance of catching fire every year, according to the industry’s own data.


Read the white paper on risk profiles here.

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Fires release toxins

Battery energy storage system (BESS) fires are happening more than once a month, 51 fires since 2021. These fires release toxic chemicals into the air, disrupt communities and impact the local environment. 


Industry best practices are “let it burn,” which is not acceptable in sensitive areas or near homes and communities. In the January 2025 fire at Moss Landing, heavy metals were detected at high levels following their incident (NY Times). 

A California Battery Plant Burned. Residents Have Gotten Sick, and Anxious - Heavy metals detected in soil…

nytimes.com

“Extremely disturbing”: High levels of heavy metals at Monterey estuary after lithium battery site fire.

latimes.com

What do we want?

For our lawmakers to consider the community, fire safety and the environment when siting large BESS projects. We’d like to see: 

  • No (large scale) BESS in areas zoned for residential - industrial only zoning
  • Significant setbacks from homes, hospitals, schools, other sensitive receptors.
  • A requirement that operators cover 100% of the cost of evacuations,  cleanup, decontamination, business disruptions caused by battery fires.
  • No projects in Very High Fire Severity Zones.
  • No projects in flood emergency zones.
  • Local input into siting of projects.
  • Position paper will be posted here shortly.
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