San Diego Supervisors Approve New Battery Storage Policies

Following last week's lithium battery fire at a San Diego Gas & Electric storage facility in Escondido, the County Board of Supervisors approved new policies to regulate future energy-storage sites in unincorporated areas. The board, however, did not impose a moratorium on new facilities. The new policies include additional requirements for fire suppression reports and disclosures to exceed current code requirements. Supervisors rejected a proposal for mandatory modular designs and National Fire Protection Association guidelines but tasked the county fire chief with analyzing appropriate residential buffer distances. Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer emphasized the need for battery storage to meet climate goals while ensuring public safety. The fire incident has heightened community concerns, particularly among residents near proposed larger projects like the Seguro project.