Fire at California battery plant raises health concerns for nearby communities
A lithium-ion battery fire at the Moss Landing power plant in Monterey County forced evacuations and left residents reporting illness, while soil tests detected heavy metals that could threaten public health and agriculture.
Orlando Mayorquín reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The fire at Vistra’s Moss Landing battery storage facility burned for days, releasing smoke that some fear contained toxic heavy metals like cobalt, nickel and manganese.
- Preliminary soil tests found elevated heavy metal levels up to five miles away, and residents have reported sore throats, headaches and other symptoms.
- A lawsuit filed by residents represented by a legal team that includes the activist Erin Brockovich alleges contamination and safety failures, while state lawmakers push for stricter regulations.
Key quote:
“A lot of people are concerned about the ingestion of heavy metals.”
— Brian Roeder, Monterey County resident
Why this matters:
California’s push toward clean energy has made battery storage a cornerstone of the state’s plans to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. But as the state embraces massive lithium-ion battery facilities to store renewable energy like solar and wind, incidents like fires highlight a less visible threat: toxic contamination. When these battery systems ignite, they can release hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals such as lead and nickel, as well as other toxic compounds.
