Hour One: Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church discusses why Board's decision to reject a moratorium on large battery energy storage system (BESS) projects will help move the County to develop the rules to regulate where they are allowed and safety requirements for how they operate. Contact him with thoughts on BESS issues: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/board-of-supervisors/district-2-glenn-church

Phillip Carranco, internationally-recognized regulatory policy expert with local connections, discusses the Draft BESS Ordinance document he wrote, based on the California Governor's Business Office BESS Ordinance template, to assist local jurisdictions such as Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

Hour Two: Continued discussion with Phillip Carranco re: the importance of strong regulation, what happens when a BESS developer goes to the State Energy Commission (CEC) instead of local jurisdictions for licensing and operation permits, and how can people weigh in to make a difference?  

Karell Reader, an organic apple farmer in Santa Cruz County, joins the conversation with questions about agricultural zoning, public safety, and how to effectively approach decision-makers to strengthen BESS rules for benefit of the people  and environment.