October 17, 2025: Landmark new BESS safety standards have been signed into state law in California in the wake of a two-day fire at Vistra’s 300MW Moss Landing facility.
The fire broke out on January 16, when Moss Landing contained around 100,000 lithium ion battery modules, of which about 55% were damaged.
On October 8, governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to strengthen safety standards for the development of new BESS plants and bolsters coordination with fire chiefs.
The bill, spearheaded by senator John Laird, was sponsored by the California Professional Firefighters and the California State Association of Electrical Workers.
Laird said the new legislation, which comes into force on January 1, 2026, would ensure California prioritizes safety at every step when expanding battery storage and ensure fire officials are involved at every step.
Battery storage developers will be required to engage with local fire authorities prior to submitting an application. This consultation must address facility design, assess potential risks, and integrate emergency response plans.
A facility will be required to undergo a safety inspection by local fire officials before it can go online. Facility owners will be required to cover the cost of inspections, reinforcing accountability in the permitting process.
The state of California will also be required to review the configuration of facilities, including limitations on development within combustible buildings to avoid another incident like Moss Landing.
Brian Rice, president of the California Professional Firefighters, said the bill was a critical step toward protecting firefighters and the communities they serve.
“By strengthening safety standards for battery storage facilities and ensuring local fire authorities have a seat at the table through the meet-and-confer process, this law puts responsibility where it belongs — on the owners and operators of these facilities — and helps prevent disasters before they start.”
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on July 23 it had reached agreement to start a clean-up operation at Moss Landing, although the cause of the blaze at the 300MW facility was still unknown.
The EPA said the batteries posed an ongoing fire risk along with the release of hydrogen fluoride, and other flammable or toxic gases.
Vistra is bearing the cost of the operation and must conduct monitoring and air sampling around the site during removal activities, as well as follow an EPA-approved emergency response plan, until all batteries and related materials have been removed.
