Public invited to briefing on largest battery project in the US proposed for Morro Bay
Vistra Energy has proposed to build a 600MW battery storage facility in Morro Bay that would be large enough to power 400,000 homes.
–Join Morro Bay Councilmember Dawn Addis and Mayor John Headding, the Morro Bay City Council Power Plant Subcommittee, who are hosting representatives from Vistra Corporation for a briefing on the proposed Morro Bay Energy Storage Facility. This facility would be the largest battery project in the US. The event will be on Monday at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.
The public can join at this link: https://vistracorp.zoom.us/j/92211180668?pwd=THEyOEh5OWpJK2p3RjA4QjRPcWpTZz09
Vistra Energy has proposed to build a 600MW battery storage facility in Morro Bay that would be large enough to power 400,000 homes. This would be one of the biggest projects in Morro Bay’s history, and the largest of such a project in the US. If approved it would come online as Diablo Canyon Power Plant goes offline, providing needed tax revenue for Morro Bay, SLO County, and local schools while moving California towards its climate goals. The estimated taxable value of the project could be 450 million. 300 people would be employed during construction and 100 people would be employed ongoing. The proposed facility would store excess energy and then feed it back into the grid.
Morro Bay Councilmember Dawn Addis and Morro Bay Mayor John Headding are the two members of the Council Subcommittee on the power plan. They invite the public to join this interactive session on Monday, March 29, at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Community members interested in clean energy, climate solutions, and any other aspect of the proposed energy storage facility will have a forum to learn more and ask questions.
“This project is an exciting opportunity that could be a win-win,” Addis said, “It would bring important funds to SLO County, Morro Bay, and our local schools as Diablo goes offline, and could fill a gap in California’s energy needs and goals. It will also help us fight the climate crises. As a coastal region, we are well suited to benefit from a project like this. Yet, there are many questions still to be answered. That’s why the subcommittee is hosting this briefing.”
Addis was elected in 2018 and has been hosting community engagement events via Zoom to provide access for the public to engage. Past guests have included the fire chief, city manager, chamber director and other community leaders. On April 5, Addis will host Congressman Salud Carbajal for an informal update on what’s happening in Congress in regards to Central Coast issues. The event with Congressman Carbajal and Councilmember Addis will be via Zoom and Facebook Live at 5:30 p.m., and a link will be shared closer to the date.
