Community Opposes Proposed Lithium Battery Storage Plant in California

Categories: California Business NewsCalifornia News

Community members gather to protest the proposed lithium battery storage facility near Saddleback College, voicing their safety and environmental concerns.

News Summary

Residents in Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano are expressing strong opposition to a proposed lithium battery storage plant near Saddleback College. Concerns about safety, environmental impact, and inadequate community engagement have driven locals to rally against the development. Despite potential economic benefits, the project faces scrutiny from residents concerned about risks, particularly following a lithium battery fire incident in Northern California. The community is urging greater involvement in decision-making processes as discussions continue around the plant’s future.

California residents in Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano are expressing strong opposition to a proposed lithium battery storage plant near Saddleback College. The project, which aims to establish a 250-megawatt battery energy storage system, is being pursued by Compass Energy Storage on 13 acres of land acquired from Saddleback Church. With significant community concerns regarding safety and environmental impact, local residents are rallying against the development.

The proposed site is located in San Juan Capistrano, adjacent to the busy 5 Freeway and Camino Capistrano. Residents, including long-time local Angela Maroon, have raised alarms about the appropriateness of the location for such a facility, especially given the area’s topography and wildfire risks. Additionally, community members, including Andy Perea, are disappointed with Saddleback Church for its lack of community engagement concerning the development, arguing that the church’s values should include “love thy neighbor” by involving neighbors in decision-making processes.

Safety concerns are prominent among residents, particularly regarding the risks associated with lithium battery fires. An incident at a lithium-ion battery storage facility in Northern California in January 2025, which resulted in evacuations, further heightened community fears about the potential dangers. Jim Desmond, a supervisor in San Diego County, highlighted the challenges involved in extinguishing lithium battery fires, pointing out a facility in San Diego that burned for over two weeks.

Brett Kotrba, from Saddleback Church’s Pastor Leadership Team, noted that the church does not play a role in land-use approval processes, expressing an intention to ensure that health, safety, and environmental impacts are carefully assessed. Meanwhile, Compass Energy Storage’s parent company, ENGIE, has assured the public of their commitment to maintaining safety standards, complying with local and state regulations, and incorporating fire safety measures into the project’s design.

Despite local resistance, proponents of the battery storage plant, including the Orange County Business Council and the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, anticipate that the project will yield economic benefits exceeding $50 million. The California Energy Commission is set to facilitate an information and environmental scoping meeting, providing a platform for public input and discussion regarding the proposed facility.

In a related development, Eos Energy Enterprises is set to provide zinc-based battery storage technology for a tribal microgrid project in Northern California. This endeavor aims to bolster energy independence for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians by integrating solar power, non-lithium battery storage, fuel cells, and diesel generators, with commissioning anticipated in the latter half of 2026.

The California Public Utilities Commission recently approved comprehensive regulations governing battery energy storage systems, marking the first time such oversight has been established. These regulations will set standards for maintenance, operation, and incident reporting, intending to ensure a higher level of safety and accountability in the industry.

As community opposition mounts, the proposed lithium battery storage plant near Saddleback College continues to draw scrutiny from residents amid ongoing discussions about its safety, environmental impact, and the potential economic benefits it may bring.