Moss Landing Fire: Vistra and EPA Seal Battery Cleanup Deal

EPA and Vistra Reach Agreement for Battery Removal After Fire

Six months after a fire broke out at Vistra’s battery plant in Moss Landing, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has reached an agreement with the company to remove and dispose of batteries impacted by the fire. The agreement, signed last week, outlines the steps Vistra must take to address the ongoing risks posed by damaged lithium-ion batteries.

The damaged batteries represent a significant hazard, as evidenced by a flare-up on February 18, just over a month after the original fire. Kazami Brockman, an on-scene coordinator for the EPA, emphasized the agency's commitment to working closely with local and state authorities to address all concerns related to the incident. "I want to start by saying that I know this incident has had a big impact on the community and I sympathize with the community for all they’ve had to endure during and after the fire," Brockman said during a press briefing in Monterey County.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vistra will be responsible for removing the damaged batteries under the EPA’s oversight. The company will need to submit detailed plans to the EPA and implement comprehensive safety measures to protect workers and nearby residents throughout the cleanup process. Additionally, Vistra is required to engage in community activities to ensure meaningful public involvement during the removal process.

If the cleanup does not meet the EPA’s standards, the agency has the authority to take over the operation and bill Vistra for the costs. Once all batteries are removed safely, oversight will transition to state and local authorities for any remaining on-site cleaning activities.

Vistra will also be required to implement air monitoring and sampling around the plant site during removal activities. An EPA-approved emergency response plan will be put in place, along with continued on-site support from a private firefighting company 24/7. Additional air monitoring and sampling may be required at the EPA’s discretion.

The facility houses approximately 100,000 lithium-ion batteries, with about 55% of them damaged in the fire. David Yeager, director of project development for Vistra, noted that the process will take multiple months and is just the initial phase. “We do anticipate this process to occur over a length of time as outlined,” he said.

Now that the agreement is official, Vistra will be able to access parts of the building that have been inaccessible up to this point. This will allow the company to conduct physical inspections of systems in that portion of the Moss 300 building.

Yeager highlighted the collaborative effort between the EPA and other state and local agencies. “It’s been a very collaborative effort between the EPA in particular and all the other state and local agencies, just to have a very thoughtful plan put together that we can all agree to that does prioritize worker safety and environmental safety as we work toward this kind of complex removal process and multi-phased approach.”

For the latest updates on the fire and the response and removal process, the County of Monterey maintains a dedicated webpage. Additional information can also be found on the EPA and Vistra websites.