ESCONDIDO — The Escondido City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 20 to extend its moratorium on new battery energy storage systems (BESS) within city limits for up to 10 months and 15 days as staff works to establish updated zoning regulations and safety standards for the facilities.
The council initially enacted a 45-day temporary ban on Oct. 9 following a fire at a BESS facility on Enterprise Street. These systems, which store energy from the grid and discharge it during high-demand periods, are primarily commercial facilities intended to supply electricity to third parties.
Historically, BESS projects have been allowed in general industrial zones, which typically accommodate heavy industries like oil refineries and power plants. However, Escondido currently has no specific zoning laws for battery storage sites despite roughly 27 such facilities already operating within the city.
Concerns surrounding BESS facilities include public safety risks, such as fires, explosions and thermal runaway events, and their limited contribution to economic development, as they are largely unmanned and remotely managed.
“The purpose behind all of this isn’t a permanent moratorium, but I think after a fire, having standards in place would be a good idea,” Mayor Dane White said.
The moratorium follows the council’s earlier resolution in August opposing large-scale BESS facilities like the proposed Seguro project in Eden Valley, located just outside city limits.
Cori Schumacher, political director at IBEW Local 569, urged the council to reject the maximum time-frame ban and instead focus on workforce safety standards for BESS facilities. Schumacher called for a requirement that only C-10 certified electricians handle installation and maintenance at these sites.
A C-10 certification is a state-issued license authorizing individuals or entities to perform high-voltage electrical work. According to Schumacher, the maintenance workforce on the Enterprise Street facility that caught fire had been replaced by a non-C-10-certified contractor, which she claimed highlighted a significant risk.
“It’s time to ensure the right workforce is doing this work,” Schumacher said.
While the council approved the extended moratorium, staff noted they might not need the full 10 months and 15 days to propose new standards. The updated regulations aim to address safety concerns while providing clearer oversight of BESS operations in Escondido.
