Community Matters

HOur One: Ed Mitchel outlines lessons learned from the Moss Landing Vistra Battery Fire Disaster and offers suggestions for actions that County residents need to take as permitting of the 90 Minto Road Lithium Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) moves forward with permitting...to insist our public safety is protected!

Hour Two: Discussion of today's Felton Fire District Board meeting deliberation regarding the LAFCO deadline to take action by October 6. 2025.  Other issues that happened at the 8/5/2025 Board of Supervisors meeting re: delisting the Redman-HIrahara Farmstead from the National Historic Registry; what is HUMBL doing with our private information in the County's experimental blockchain digital wallet?

Hour One: Guests Roxanne and David discuss the update on the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission's (RTC) demand of Castle Estates and Blue & Gold Star Mobile Home owners whose homes, according to the RTC, encroach into the rail corridor and must be moved...or else.

Hour Two: Brief discussion of LAFCO's Report on Felton Fire Protection District's problems, and October 6, 2025 deadline to take action or face LAFCO's selected solution. https://santacruzlafco.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Felton-FPD-Gov-Options-Rpt-7-25-25.pdf

Also, a discussion by the host of updates on lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) actions and the County's Commission on the Environment BESS Workshop held July 25.

This is the complete interview for both hours, with Hour One devoted to RTC Sarah Christensen.

Hour Two: Discussion of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) issues.

Hour One: What were the takeaways of the July 24, 2025 State Fire Marshal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Fire Safety Symposium?  Fire Officials can be driving the local BESS Ordinance for public and firefighter safety.  Questionable claims by EPA of inability to calibrate equipment at Moss Landing Vistra Battery Fire.

Fire Safety Symposium:

Hour One: Discussion of recent public meetings by Never Again Moss Landing https://neveragainmosslanding.org/ and Stop Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County https://www.stoplithiumbessinsantacruz.org/ and why it is important to boycott 3CE by Opting OUT: https://3cenergy.org/billing/energy-choices/opt-out/

Hour Two: Interview with Ms. Sarah Christensen, CEO of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) re: passenger rail project: https://www.sccrtc.org/projects/rail/zeprt/  and Highway One Expansion Projects: https://www.sccrtc.org/projects/streets-highways/hwy1/

Hour One: Ms. Skylar Sacoolas describes GreenAction and what she is doing to support the residents injured by the 2025 Moss Landing Vistra Battery Fire.  https://greenaction.org/

https://neveragainmosslanding.org/

Hour Two: Continued discussion of lithium battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects proposed in Santa Cruz County with caller Ms Nina Audino of Stop Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County, and July 17 public meeting in Live Oak. https://www.stoplithiumbessinsantacruz.org/

Also, some discussion of the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury and six recent reports released. https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/GrandJury/2024-2025GrandJuryReportsandResponses.aspx

Hour One: Brian Peoples of Trail Now discusses recent RTC passenger rail feasibility study of $4.28 Billion Project and why rail banking and trail only should be prioritized. Caller Cami Corvin discusses related encroachment problems for Capitola mobile home park residents and updates.

Hour Two: Brian Roeder of Never Again Moss Landing updates about recent meetings with EPA and Dept. of Toxic Substances regarding the clean up of the Vistra 300 Battery Fire site, facilitated by GreenAction.  Caller Nina Audino discussed Stop Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County actions and review of Commission on Environment Workshop presentations (view Workshop video recording here):

https://santacruzcountyca-my.sharepoint.com/personal/pln144_co_santa-cruz_ca_us/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fpln144%5Fco%5Fsanta%2Dcruz%5Fca%5Fus%2FDocuments%2FGMT20250625%2D235920%5FRecording%5F1760x900%2Emp4&nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJPbmVEcml2ZUZvckJ1c2luZXNzIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXciLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJNeUZpbGVzTGlua0NvcHkifX0&ga=1&referrer=StreamWebApp%2EWeb&referrerScenario=AddressBarCopied%2Eview%2Eb3c4cc55%2D43e1%2D43d7%2Dbfbd%2Db2ebb748a783

Hour One:  Lead Investigator Mr. Ed Mitchell discusses lack of planning and response from EPA on January 16, 2025 Moss Landing BESS Fire, how he was affected and what people need to do now. https://neveragainmosslanding.org/

Hour Two: Host Becky Steinbruner discusses history of Santa Cruz County's three proposed Battery Energy Storage Site (BESS) project sites, with latest news on the 90 Minto Road facility permitting.  Join the grassroots group demanding a countywide moratorium on grid-scale lithium BESS, an impartial panel to advise on the County's BESS Ordinance, and town hall meetings in the Community.

https://www.stoplithiumbessinsantacruz.org/

https://neveragainmosslanding.org/

Hour One: Sally Arnold describes Friends of Rail & Trail, recent opening of new trail serving the Westside, actions yet to come. https://www.railandtrail.org/

Hour Two: Brian Roeder describes Never Again Moss Landing results of Scientist Panel discussion held in Moss Landing, and the June 2 "Bigger Than Moss Landing" event with national science experts Dr. Beatrice Golamb and Scott Smith, as well as East Palestine, Ohio resident Jami Wallace. https://neveragainmosslanding.org/