Worldwide Precedent is Being Established!
Support a Thoughtful Approach to Our Energy Transition!
AES Corporation has proposed one of the largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installations in the world, known as the Seguro Energy Storage project in the Eden Valley neighborhood near Harmony Grove, Escondido, and San Marcos, California. This proposed project would generate 1280 MWh of energy with the ability to power 240,000 households for four hours. In theory, this sounds like a renewable energy solution, however the proposal is the first of this magnitude proposed with only a 70-foot setback from current residential properties. The project presents significant dangers to public health and safety. If this project is approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, it will set precedent for San Diego County, and it will be used as justification for future BESS projects in close proximity to homes, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive sites.
We need to transform how we store and use energy – in a way that is safe and does not put public health at risk.
SIGNIFICANT RISKS TO OUR COMMUNITY
Extreme Fire HazardToxic Environmental ContaminationIncreased Risk of Health IssuesLight and Noise PollutionDepreciating Property ValuesDecreased Property Tax RevenueRisk of Being UninsurableTarget for Cyber & Terrorist AttacksDisruption to Archeological Sites and WetlandsDecommissioning Issues
CALL TO ACTION: Finding better energy solutions is imperative, but not by compromising or threatening residents, wildlife, clean air and water, and firefighter safety. This is a high risk location for citing this kind of battery facility given its close proximity to homes, hospitals, and schools.
The importance of renewable energy is not in dispute. Still, we urge The San Diego County Board of Supervisors and all entities who will be taking a stance to oppose the Seguro Battery Energy Storage System. As we begin to create policy for where to locate these facilities, we call on the County Board of Supervisors to establish BESS guidelines, requirements, safety measures, and decommissioning plans to include thorough environmental, social, and governance analysis, mandating ample distance between BESS and residential neighborhoods, and requiring a Major Use Permit for these projects.
If you agree that health and safety must be part of the equation as we consider where to place these facilities, please sign this petition today.
Eden Valley, Harmony Grove, and Elfin Forest is home to nearly 4000 residents, multiple parks, the Escondido Creek, and historical and archeological sites. The proposed facility is located just 1600 feet from Palomar Medical Center, Rady Children's Urgent Care, and within proximity to schools including CSUSM, Del Dios Academy, and preschools.
FIRE HAZARD: The project presents an extreme fire hazard in an area already prone to fires. In 2014, the Cocos fire burned 1995 acres and destroyed more than 40 buildings in this neighborhood. Ingress and egress are limited to only three - two lane - exit routes for more than 3880 residents in the direct vicinity and an approximately 11,834 residents along the exit routes. Many of these residents have large animals that would be difficult to evacuate in the event of a fire.
Lithium-ion batteries are constructed with flammable electrolytes and reactive lithium salts, which can generate a violent exothermic chemical reaction if the battery is damaged, overcharged, or exposed to high temperatures. The thermal energy generated by these reactions can cause a thermal runaway condition, which in turn enters a cycle of rapid increase in temperature and pressure within the battery, resulting in an explosion or fire. These fires cannot be contained by normal firefighting tactics and the current recommended method of control is to allow the fire to burn while cooling the surrounding systems to prevent further explosion.
There are currently 482 Battery Energy Storage Facilities in operation in the US. "Over the past decade, more than 60 fires and battery overheating events have occurred at utility, commercial and industrial energy storage installations worldwide. (Electric Power Research Institute). That includes at least 16 in the US since 2019, when a broader market began to emerge, and with at least six or more occurring this year. The incidents range from minor hiccups to catastrophic accidents, such as a 2019 explosion at an Arizona Public Service Company battery system in Surprise, Arizona., that injured eight firefighters and destroyed the project.", Hering, S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Although we have an excellent fire department, lithium-ion technology is inherently volatile. There is a significant gap in our understanding of how to effectively prevent and mitigate the impact of these fires. Safety measures are evolving, but we shouldn't be subjecting our firefighters as "test subjects.". Safety protocols and training are of the utmost importance and are currently lacking.
TOXIC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION & HEALTH ISSUES: These battery systems can lead to toxic environmental contamination due to the spread of hazardous materials, increasing health risks for residents and animals and potentially contaminating soil, water, and air through the emission of toxic gasses and particles.
Lithium battery fires release toxic gasses such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, and sulfur dioxide. Studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can lead to an increased risk of health issues including respiratory problems and skin irritation. (Environmental Health Perspectives Journal, 2019). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, exposures of 50 to 100 ppm of sulfur dioxide may be tolerated for more than 30 to 60 minutes, but higher or longer exposures can cause death from airway obstruction. Hydrogen fluoride is lighter than air and would disperse when released, a cloud of vapor and aerosol that is heavier than air may be formed (EPA). On exposure to skin or by inhaling, hydrogen fluoride can result in skin burns and lung damage.
Studies further indicate that toxic gasses could increase health risks for residents within a four-mile radius. This could affect residents east to the Safari Park, the southern half of San Marcos, and south to Rancho Bernardo.
LIGHT & NOISE POLLUTION: The neighborhood is predominantly rural with tract homes within a quarter mile of the proposed site. This facility would create light similar to a baseball field and emit a constant buzzing noise, creating significant impacts for nearby residents.
DEPRECIATED PROPERTY VALUES & DECREASED PROPERTY TAX REVENUE:A study from University of California Berkeley found that the proximity to industrial facilities could decrease property values by up to 7% (UC Berkeley Real Estate Department, 2018).
In 2016, a study conducted by Realtor.com estimated that nearby power plants (within the same zip code) decreased property values by 5.3%
The EPA used hedonic property value methods to examine how chemical accidents impact home values. The study determined that accidents resulting in offsite injuries, property damage, evacuations, or shelter-in-place orders lead to a 5% to 7% decrease in the value of homes within three miles. This would affect property values in San Marcos, Escondido, and the Rancho Bernardo portion of San Diego.
Other studies estimate up to 40% reduction of home values for properties located in the direct vicinity of hazardous waste facilities, especially after chemical exposure or in the event of neglected decommissioning efforts. Current homeowners will suffer a significant loss of value in their homes.
RISK OF BEING UNINSURABLE: Insurance premiums may rise due to increased fire risk associated with battery storage facilities (Insurance Information Institute). Furthermore, with multiple insurance carriers exiting California due to fire hazards, obtaining insurance could become nearly impossible.
CYBER & TERRORIST ATTACKS: This type of infrastructure is also a potential target for cyber and terrorist attacks which could disrupt power supply or even cause damage if hackers were able to manipulate control systems (Department of Homeland Security).
Energy businesses are facing an increasingly complex cyber risk landscape, with new forms of volatility and current geopolitical tensions driving scrutiny on the security of essential energy infrastructure, Aon stated.
While only a handful of successful attacks on clean energy systems have been reported to date, new forms of sophisticated malware emerged in 2022 – including Chernovite’s ‘Pipedream’ – that pose a significant threat to industrial control systems connected to the energy grid, including BESS."(Mukhopadhyay, Reinsurance News)
DISRUPTION TO ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES AND WETLANDS: This area was named Harmony Grove and Eden Valley for its peaceful nature by early settlers. It is home to historic buildings, the ruins of an old adobe house, a stone mill, archeological sites, and the Escondido Creek.The gen-tie connections to the substation will likely disrupt archaeological sites, and the proposed project site is situated on top of wetlands.
DECOMMISSIONING: Most jurisdictions do not have decommissioning plans and requirements. The jurisdictions that have established these plans are operating off limited knowledge of the rapidly expanding risk factors of BESS. The Seguro Battery Storage System is proposing a 25-year project, but the lifespan of these batteries is 10 to 20 years. Decommissioning batteries increases the likelihood of environmental contamination, posing extensive degradation risk. Decommissioning the facility could lead to a brownfield, especially if AES is not held to accountable decommissioning guidelines or if they file bankruptcy. The County would then be responsible for cleaning up the project site.
MEDIA COVERAGE ON AES FIRES & NOISE POLLUTION
MEDIA COVERAGE TO STOP SEGURO
FOX NEWS
North County residents attend safety workshop for controversial proposed battery storage site
Proposed energy storage project near Escondido draws concern from neighbors
CBS NEWS
North County residents push back on plans for battery storage plant near Escondido
ESCONDIDO TIMES ADVOCATE
Residents collect 2k signatures to stop battery facility
COAST NEWS
Residents remain opposed to Seguro battery facility despite changes
Eden Valley residents push back against Seguro battery storage project
UNION TRIBUNE
Why this battery storage plant between Escondido and San Marcos has some residents upset
INEWSOURCE
Fears of wildfires propel Escondido residents to fight back against battery storage plant
RESOURES:
Battery Hazards for Large Energy Storage Systems (American Chemical Society)
Battery Energy Storage Hazards and Failure Modes (National Fire Protection Agency)
Emerging Hazards of Battery Energy Storage System Fires (University of Texas of Austin Published on FEMA’s website)
BESS Failure Event Database (EPRI)
