The Moss Landing battery fire on January 16, 2025, involved a massive lithium-ion battery storage facility, releasing toxic metals and prompting a multi-phase cleanup overseen by the EPA and local authorities.
On January 16, 2025, the 300-megawatt Moss 300 battery energy storage system at Vistra’s Moss Landing Power Plant caught fire, affecting approximately 55% of its 100,000 lithium-ion batteries. The fire burned for days, producing a dense smoke plume visible for miles, forcing the evacuation of about 1,200 residents and temporarily closing nearby highways. The fire was contained to the Moss 300 building and did not spread to other facilities on-site.
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Environmental and Health Impacts
The fire released hazardous gases, soot, and charred battery fragments containing nickel, manganese, and cobalt. Soil and marsh samples from nearby Elkhorn Slough showed metal concentrations 10 to 1,000 times higher than pre-fire levels, with an estimated 25 metric tons of heavy metals deposited across roughly half a square mile of wetland. These metals continue to be remobilized in the environment and may bioaccumulate in local wildlife, including shellfish, crabs, fish, and top predators like sea otters and harbor seals. Residents reported headaches, respiratory issues, and other symptoms following the fire.
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The EPA, in coordination with Vistra, Monterey County, and other agencies, initiated a multi-phase cleanup. Key measures include:
Regulatory and Policy Actions
The fire prompted Monterey County to propose a moratorium on new battery energy storage facilities, emphasizing stricter safety regulations, emergency response planning, and environmental oversight. The EPA is overseeing the cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), though Moss Landing is not a traditional Superfund site.
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Ongoing Monitoring and Research
Researchers from San José State University and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories are tracking the movement of heavy metals through the ecosystem, including potential bioaccumulation in wildlife. Early tissue sampling is underway, but long-term ecological impacts may take months or years to fully assess. The EMBER research team continues to monitor Elkhorn Slough for evidence of metals entering the food chain.
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Residents are advised to avoid areas with visible ash or soot, wash hands and clothing after outdoor activities, and follow guidance from the Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau for safe cleanup of homes and gardens. Outdoor activities are generally acceptable if precautions are taken.
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The Moss Landing battery fire highlights the risks associated with large-scale lithium-ion energy storage, the importance of rigorous safety protocols, and the need for ongoing environmental monitoring to protect both human health and sensitive ecosystems.