Members of the Watsonville City Council have voiced their concerns regarding a proposed battery energy storage project located on Minto Road, just outside the city limits. The council has drafted a letter to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, which will be considered during their meeting on October 17, 2023. This item is included in the council’s consent agenda, having been recommended by Councilmembers Casey Clark, Ari Parker, and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter.
The project, known as the Seahawk Energy Storage Project, is being proposed by New Leaf Energy. The company aims to establish a battery energy storage facility on approximately 16 acres of a 47-acre parcel at 90 Minto Road, directly across from the Pacific Gas & Electric substation on Green Valley Road. The purpose of the facility is to store clean energy in batteries, which would then be utilized during peak energy demand periods. New Leaf Energy asserts that this project could help prevent rolling blackouts and public safety power shutoffs.
According to information on the company’s website, “The project will establish critical, new local infrastructure that will strengthen the electrical grid locally, while contributing to a greener and more sustainable power source that supports California’s evolution to clean, renewable energy to replace carbon-based energy sources.”
Yet, concerns have emerged among local residents, particularly in light of the recent fire at the Vistra Energy Storage Facility at the Moss Landing Power Plant in January 2025. At the council meeting on October 14, Max Christian, project lead for New Leaf Energy, emphasized that the Seahawk project differs significantly from the Moss Landing facility. He stated, “The fire that happened at the Moss Landing facility … was a complete failure and should never happen again. In fact, since 2022, the National Fire Protection Association updated its code section, … which regulates battery energy storage. A system like the one in Moss Landing, a facility like that would not even be permitted.”
Christian elaborated that all battery energy storage systems deployed in California since the update are newer containerized systems, designed to mitigate the risk of large-scale fires. He noted that the Seahawk project would incorporate advanced safety measures, including an aerosol-based fire suppression system, active heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and double-walled, steel-sealed containers. An emergency response plan, developed in coordination with local fire protection services, is also part of the project proposal.
Despite these assurances, public apprehension continues to grow. Residents have raised various concerns at county-hosted meetings, highlighting issues such as proximity to schools and wildlife areas, potential impacts on air quality and agriculture, challenges in firefighting, and the risk of toxic gas emissions. The council members underscored these concerns in their letter, stating, “The January 2025 fire at the Moss Landing facility illustrates the potential risks associated with large-scale lithium-ion battery storage, including fire hazards, chemical releases, and environmental impacts.”
The letter called for a thorough evaluation of these risks before granting land use and zoning approvals, emphasizing that such projects can affect communities for decades. The council members specifically urged the county to adopt an evidence-based approach to energy storage regulations when reviewing the project.
Additionally, copies of the letter have been submitted to Sen. John Laird, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Cruz County.
In a separate agenda item, the Watsonville City Council will also consider the introduction of an ordinance that adopts the latest California Building Code standards and a uniform code for the abatement of dangerous buildings. The council is set to meet publicly at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in the Watsonville City Council Chambers located at 275 Main St.. This meeting will be preceded by a closed session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss legal matters.
