On September 27th, Governor Newsom announced that he has convened a state-level collaborative “to examine battery storage technologies and safety measures”. Battery storage is widely viewed as key to improving reliability and resiliency of the electrical grid.
The collaborative will include representatives from the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
The collaborative is tasked with identifying ways to “enhance safety while continuing to innovate” and will explore “best practices for outreach and education, permitting and installation of battery projects, inspection and monitoring practices, and first responder training and safety.”
RCRC recently co-hosted an informational webinar with the California State Association of Counties and League of California Cities on battery storage permitting and safety. That webinar included presentations by the California Public Utilities Commission, State Fire Marshal and industry experts on safety protocols and mitigation measures.
For more information, please contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, John Kennedy.