The County of Santa Cruz is developing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Ordinance to ensure local regulatory authority, help the County meet green energy goals, and support grid reliability and reduced blackouts. By having a local ordinance we can ensure that any energy storage facility proposed in our community meets the highest standards for safety, environmental protection and local oversight.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) allow solar and wind energy to be stored and used later — helping stabilize the statewide grid and improve community resilience. This ordinance will guide how and where these systems can be built in unincorporated Santa Cruz County.
The proposed Energy Storage Combining District Ordinance establishes clear local standards for where and how large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities may developed in unincorporated Santa Cruz County. It defines eligible sites, safety and environmental requirements, application procedures, and oversight responsibilities to ensure projects are designed, reviewed, and operated in a way that protects public safety, agricultural lands, and natural resources while supporting California’s transition to renewable energy. Key elements include:
- Environmental review to assess potential risks.
- Public review and hearings for proposed projects.
- Regular updates to reflect the latest safety research and technology improvements
Clean Energy & Community Resilience
Battery storage helps make clean energy reliable, providing power even when the sun isn’t shining or during power outages. It can reduce dependence on fossil fuel and improve resilience during wildfire season or grid disruptions.
The proposed Energy Storage Combining District Ordinance is building a framework that ensures renewable energy solutions are implemented safely, responsibly, and with public input at every stage.
Our Priority: Safety and Accountability
Safety is the foundation of the proposed ordinance, incorporating advice from leading experts, recent studies, and updated State codes that have made modern battery systems far safer than earlier designs.
Local standards can help the County:
- Maintain local land use authority over BESS projects.
- Ensure public and firefighter safety.
- Minimize environmental and neighborhood impacts.
- Support equitable access to clean, affordable energy.
- Prevent the construction of outdated systems such as the Moss Landing facility that caught fire in January 2025.
Public Participation
Battery storage helps make clean energy reliable, even when the sun isn’t shining or during power outages. It can reduce dependence on fossil fuel and improve resilience during wildfire season or grid disruptions.
The County is building a framework that ensures renewable energy solutions are implemented safely, responsibly, and with public input at every stage.