Battery‑storage fire fears spur local moratoriums
Residents and local officials across multiple U.S. jurisdictions are blocking or pausing large lithium‑ion battery energy‑storage projects amid safety concerns after a high‑profile Moss Landing, California fire in January 2025. The AP reports that at least a few dozen localities have enacted temporary moratoriums or stronger reviews, with officials and experts debating risks from thermal runaway even as industry groups and some engineers stress modern systems and federal tax credits support rapid deployment.
Energy
Public Safety
📌 Key Facts
- At least a few dozen U.S. localities have moved to temporarily block development of large battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- A Moss Landing, California battery‑storage facility fire in January 2025 forced the evacuation of about 1,500 people and is cited as a primary catalyst for local opposition
- Developers added 4,908 megawatts of battery storage capacity in Q2 2025 (about three‑quarters of new capacity from Arizona, California and Texas); New York targets 6,000 MW of storage by 2030