Moss Landing Battery Fire: Fallout & RepercussionsMoss Landing Battery Fire: Fallout & Repercussions
Weeks later, the government is trying to understand the fire’s impact and how similar events can be prevented in the future.
January 30, 2025

The fire that erupted at Vistra Energy’s Moss Landing battery storage facility on January 16, 2025, has prompted a wave of environmental scrutiny, policy responses, and technical reassessments of battery energy storage safety. With soil and water testing underway, new legislation in development, and a closer look at the facility’s unique design flaws, experts suggest that the conditions leading to this fire are unlikely to be replicated at other battery storage sites.
Environmental testing and assessing contamination risks
Authorities in Monterey County have already begun soil and water testing to determine the environmental impact of the fire. So far, testing is focusing on potential toxic metal contamination in water sources and chemical residues in soil, particularly given the facility’s proximity to organic farmland and the ecologically sensitive Elkhorn Slough estuary.
CBS News reports that scientists from San Jose State University's Moss Landing Marine Laboratories have already detected elevated levels of heavy metals at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve following the fire. As part of ongoing monitoring efforts, researchers analyzed soil samples shortly after the Jan. 16 fire. Field surveys conducted within a roughly two-mile radius of the power plant revealed a significant rise in marsh soil concentrations of three heavy metals: nickel, manganese, and cobalt.
Initial air quality assessments by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detected hydrogen fluoride and other combustion byproducts but concluded they did not pose immediate health risks. However, local officials remain concerned about the effects of long-term exposure, especially since past battery fires have been linked to the release of heavy metals.
Stricter battery storage regulations proposed
Meanwhile, the LA Times has reported that, in response to the fire, California lawmakers are proposing stricter oversight of battery storage facilities.
Specifically, assembly members have introduced Assembly Bill 303, the Battery Energy Safety & Accountability Act. This act seeks to establish tighter safety protocols, require local community engagement in the permitting process, and mandate a minimum buffer zone between battery facilities and sensitive areas such as residential zones, schools, hospitals, and natural preserves.
Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed support for an independent investigation into the fire’s cause and potential regulatory improvements. Additionally, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has called for Vistra Energy to keep Moss Landing offline until the investigation is complete and enhanced safety measures are implemented.
Experts believe the fire won’t be easily repeated
Although the fire raised alarms about large-scale energy storage safety, industry experts argue that similar incidents are unlikely at newer battery sites due to notable design differences.
The Moss Landing facility was originally constructed in a repurposed 1950s-era power plant building, which lacked modern compartmentalization and fire suppression measures. Unlike newer battery storage facilities that use modular, containerized systems designed to isolate and contain fires within individual units, Moss Landing’s design placed large numbers of high-energy battery racks in a single enclosed space. This design flaw contributed to the rapid spread of flames and made it difficult for emergency responders to suppress the fire.

LGES TR1300 NMC battery racks inside MOSS300 in 2020. Credit: LG Energy Solution
Another differentiating factor was the type of battery chemistry used at Moss Landing. The facility relied on nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion cells, a high-energy-density chemistry known for its susceptibility to thermal runaway. Many newer grid-scale battery storage systems now use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have a significantly lower risk of overheating and combustion.
Additionally, safety standards and fire codes governing battery storage installations have evolved considerably since Moss Landing was designed. Updated regulations, including the International Fire Code (IFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 855 standards, now mandate stricter containment measures, enhanced ventilation systems, and more comprehensive fire mitigation strategies.
Future implications for battery storage safety
As California continues its transition to renewable energy, battery storage remains a necessary aspect of the state’s strategy. However, the Moss Landing fire has amplified the importance of integrating modern safety technologies and robust regulatory frameworks. While the cause of the Moss Landing fire remains under investigation, the industry is already taking steps to prevent similar incidents and reinforce confidence in the long-term viability of battery storage as an enabler of clean energy deployment.
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