September 15, 2026 – City Council Meeting
Item No. 18
Correspondence/Emails received
From: Celeste Alvarez
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2026 8:57 PM
To: Planning <[email protected]>; Cortez, Christopher <[email protected]>; Ulloa, Eunice <[email protected]>; Burton, Curtis <[email protected]>; Comstock, Karen <[email protected]>; Flores, Christopher <[email protected]>; Lucio, Marc <[email protected]>; Ralls, Dennis <[email protected]>; Le, Kim <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] Letter of support for PL25-0019 / PL25-0121
Dear Mayor Ulloa, Members of City Council, Members of Planning Commission, City Clerk, and Christopher Cortez,
I am writing this letter in support of the revised amended plan for PL25-0019 / PL25-0121. The plan that was approved at the Planning Commission meeting which is the same plan being presented to the City Council.
I have been around this Chino neighborhood for a few years now and having attended the first city counsel meeting, I can see the effort in the changes that have been made and whole heartedly agree to it.
The developer has taken into consideration the suggested changes from the first meeting and although they couldn't provide the changes exactly as suggested, they have compromised to create a solution regarding the concerns of the neighborhood. I have spoken to members of the community that agree with me when I say that the developer did have them in mind when making these changes and I believe they would work out well if approved.
The builder listened to the community concerns and made amendments to the original plans that incorporates the modifications listed below to help support our desires.
The changes the builder is including are as follows:
1. Amsterdam Avenue is being widened by nearly 20' total. There will be an additional 6’ on the east side (the PLC project side) to allow parking in front of the new homes facing out on Amsterdam, while still providing two full-width vehicular traffic lanes plus 4’ bike lanes on both sides of the street.
2. The extension of Amsterdam into the PLC tract is called Aguerre Avenue. Aguerre Avenue was widened by an additional 6’ on the south side to allow for
street parking. They also eliminated street parking on the north side of Aguerre Avenue. The 4’ bike lanes will continue on both sides of Aguerre Avenue from Amsterdam Avenue all the way to Cypress.
3. The City and PLC agreed to install a three-way stop sign at the Dalton/Amsterdam and Aguerre/Cypress intersections. The builder offered to the City to install and re-stripe a similar three-way stop at Pepperdine/Cypress.
I have grown to love this little neighborhood as is, but I understand that changes in creating additional housing is required and I appreciate the consideration and efforts being placed to accommodate those who have already been living here to continue adding to a beautiful neighborhood representative of the Chino feel.
Therefore this revised plan has my full support.
Sincerely,
Celeste Alvarez
From: Christine Howard <
Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 6:41 PM
Subject: Subject Dalton St Community
To:
Dear Dave,
We are writing to express our full support for the revised PLC project and the changes that have been made to address the concerns of the Dalton Street Community.
We appreciate PLC Communities listening to the community and making meaningful changes to the site plan, particularly the widening of Amsterdam Avenue and Aguerre Avenue to provide additional street parking while maintaining adequate traffic lanes and bike lanes.
We also appreciate the planned three-way stop improvements at the Dalton/Amsterdam and Aguerre/Cypress intersections, as well as the offer to improve the Pepperdine/Cypress intersection. We believe these changes will help address traffic and safety concerns and will be beneficial to both the existing neighborhood and the new community.
We understand that the revised site plan was approved by the Planning Commission and is now being presented to the City Council. We support the project as revised and respectfully ask the City Council to approve it.
Thank you to PLC Communities for working with the neighborhood and taking our concerns into consideration. We look forward to seeing the project move forward.
Thank you, Christine Howard
From: Colton Underwood-Garside < >
Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2026 10:18 PM
To: Cortez, Christopher <[email protected]>; Ulloa, Eunice <[email protected]>; Burton, Curtis <[email protected]>; Comstock, Karen <[email protected]>; Flores, Christopher <[email protected]>; Lucio, Marc <[email protected]>; Planning <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] Fwd: Support for PL25-0019 / PL25-0121 EAST CHINO REVISED PLAN
Dear Mayor Ulloa, Members of City Council, Members of Planning Commission, City Clerk, and Christopher Cortez,
I support the amendments the builder agreed to and would love our community of families to remain that way.
Respectfully,
Colton Underwood-Garside
From: Christine & Dave Clark <
Date: Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 11:14 AM
Subject: Support for PL25-0019 / PL25-0121 EAST CHINO REVISED PLAN To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Dear Mayor Ulloa, Members of City Council, Members of Planning Commission, City Clerk, and Christopher Cortez,
I am writing this letter in support of the revised amended plan for PL25-0019 / PL25-0121. The plan that was approved at the Planning Commission meeting which is the same plan being presented to the City Council.
My support is two fold, and primarily centered around community compromise.
First and foremost, I personally spoke to the current owners of these properties and these revised plans are what have been agreed to by the OWNERS of the property. These agreed upon plans support their visions for what their property will now become. WE as a community should appreciate the sacrifices of these families and be appreciative that they had our interests as the Dalton community when they reached out to PLC Communities. They wanted family homes with a community feel, not condos or apartments or a commercial building. They wanted to keep a community feel with a small park, walkways and tributes to the history of our area and we as a community should respect their wishes.
Secondly, while I originally supported and helped present the "flipped proposal" , the builder listened to the community concerns and made amendments to the original plans that incorporates the modifications listed below to help support our desires. And while yes, this plan does include forward facing homes on Amsterdam, it also includes additional footage to accommodate parking, bike lanes, open lines of site, and access to Cyprus.
The changes the builder is including are as follows:
1) Amsterdam Avenue is being widened by nearly 20' total. There will be an additional 6’ on the east side (the PLC project side) to allow parking in front of the new homes facing out on Amsterdam, while still providing two full-width vehicular traffic lanes plus 4’ bike lanes on both sides of the street.
2) The extension of Amsterdam into the PLC tract is called Aguerre Avenue.
Aguerre Avenue was widened by an additional 6’ on the south side to allow for street parking. They also eliminated street parking on the north side of Aguerre Avenue. The 4’ bike lanes will continue on both sides of Aguerre Avenue from Amsterdam Avenue all the way to Cypress.
3) The City and PLC agreed to install a three-way stop sign at the Dalton/Amsterdam and Aguerre/Cypress intersections. The builder offered to the City to install and re-stripe a similar three-way stop at Pepperdine/Cypress.
As communities grow, we need to work together for acceptable compromises.
This revised plan is exactly that and honors the wishes of the owners who are giving up their land while also considering the Dalton community concerns.
Therefore this revised plan has my full support.
Sincerely,
Christine Clark
From: Christine & Dave Clark
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2026 9:26 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>; Cortez, Christopher <[email protected]>; Ulloa, Eunice <[email protected]>; Burton, Curtis <[email protected]>; Comstock, Karen <[email protected]>; Lucio, Marc <[email protected]>; Ralls, Dennis <[email protected]>; Le, Kim [email protected]
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] Support for Tentative Tract Map 20845 Amsterdam Ave
Dear city clerk and city council
I am writing to express my support for the builder's plan for Tentative Tract Map 20845.
My name is Dave Clark, and I reside at .
Thank you for your time and for considering my input on this matter.
Best regards,
Dave Clark
From: Elizabeth Hernandez <
Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 2:04 PM
Subject: Dalton Street Community
To:
My name is Elizabeth Hernandez, my husbands name is Ronnie Hernandez . We live at . We both support the builders plan Tentative Tract Map 20845.
From: Gabriela Chavira
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2026 9:42 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL]
Yes, we agree with the new site plan
Thank you
Gabriela Chavira
From: Larry Howard
Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 6:53 PM
Subject: Dalton St community
To: >
Dear Dave and Christine,
I am writing to let you know that I support and agree with PLC’s revised plan for the Dalton Street Community.
I believe the changes to Amsterdam Avenue and Aguirre Avenue address the community’s concerns regarding parking, traffic flow, and safety. I also support the proposed traffic controls at the intersections.
Thank you for your efforts to work with the community and make these improvements.
Larry Howard
From: Linnie Risolo <l
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2026 7:47 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] Vote revised sight plan
Sent from my iPhone We Steve and Linnie Risolo who live at 6379 Pepperdine Court both vote yes on tentative tract #20848 East Chino specific plan.
Neighborhood3/sub area C
From: dewyou@ >
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2026 6:48 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [EXT EMAIL] Opposition to the Proposed East Chino Specific Plan Amendment PL25-0019
Good evening,
The proposed East Chino Specific Plan amendment has been referred to by many different numbers in City documents since it first went to the Planning Commission meeting. I received the Public Hearing Notice via USPS and noticed that the correct number should be PL25-0119, and my previous letter referred to it as PL25-0019. I hope your office is still including all letters received regarding this ECSP amendment, even if they used the incorrect number, since the letters likely refer to the proposed project by its physical address and other project-related numbers. I am attaching an updated letter with the correct number in case it makes a difference.
Sincerely,
Derek Webster
From: Peggy Merrill >
Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2026 4:18 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Cc: Ulloa, Eunice <[email protected]>; Burton, Curtis <[email protected]>; Comstock, Karen <[email protected]>; Lucio, Marc <[email protected]>; Flores, Christopher <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] Protect Amsterdam Ave
Hello City of Chino,
I am requesting that you please do not approve any requests for any amendments to our city’s ECSP that would allow for any development, including homes or businesses with parking on the street, to be built on Amsterdam Ave. I live on a street off of Pepperdine Ave. and appreciate our little country feel we have down here. I feel putting houses forward facing on Amsterdam Ave would not serve our community well for all kinds of reasons. If you have not driven and walked all the way down Amsterdam Ave from Schaeffer Ave at all times of day and night and do so then you will see for yourself that this is one of the last remaining treasures we have in Chino worth preserving for current and future generations. I have lived in Chino since 1989, have seen and appreciated all kinds thoughtful development in our town and so am hoping more thought can go into this proposed plan to find an alternative solution to preserve our Amstersdam Ave.
Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Peggy Merrill
Good evening,
I am submitting this letter to express my o pposition to the proposed East Chino Specific Plan (ECSP) Amendment (PL25-0119). Please distribute this letter to the appropriate city staff for consideration at the City Council meeting where this issue will be discussed and decided. Please redact my physical address and phone number from any distribution where the public could see them.
Respectfully,
Joanne Webster
September 15, 2026 – City Council Meeting
Item No. 19
Correspondence/Emails received
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Dirac Energy Storage Project
Responses to Public Comment
Date: September 10, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor Ulloa and Members of the Chino City Council City of Chino
13220 Central Avenue
Chino, CA 91710
From: Aypa Power
Re: Responses to public comments for the Dirac Energy Storage Project Written and oral comments were received on and leading up to the July 15, 2026, Planning Commission Hearing for the Dirac Energy Storage Project. This memorandum provides responses to all comments received, providing global responses to common topics raised by several commenters, as well as individual responses to each comment in the attached matrix.
1. Fire Safety, Hazards Analysis, and Emergency Response Various public comments raised concerns or questions regarding fire safety, the potential for hazardous emissions during a fire, and the Project’s emergency response protocols. Each of these issues is addressed in detail in the 15183 Checklist and supporting technical reports prepared for the Project in accordance with CEQA. The Project is subject to a comprehensive regulatory and technical safety framework —including the California Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association’s (“NFPA”) Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems (NFPA 855), Underwriter’s Laboratory (“UL”) UL 9540 certification, UL 9540A fire- propagation testing, and CPUC General Order 167-C—which govern equipment certification, thermal- runaway prevention and propagation, unit spacing and separation, fire detection and suppression, emergency-response planning, and continuing operational oversight. This regulatory framework is designed to limit the potential for a fire or thermal runaway event and, in the unlikely scenario a fire was to occur, ensure the event is maintained at its point of origin by preventing propagation between units. Further, t he Project will use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is one of the most stable and safe chemistries available for battery energy storage facilities in the United States and worldwide. The cells are housed in individually sealed, UL-tested outdoor containers spaced according to rigorous industry standards stipulated by NFPA 855. Each unit is monitored continuously for temperature, voltage, current , cell health and other key metrics.
Should an issue with any cell be identified, the Battery Management System (BMS) shuts down and isolates that part of the system automatically. Each container is designed so that in the rare event of thermal runway, the issue remains isolated to a single container. This design is proven through large-scale fire testing, where a container is purposefully set on fire, safety systems are intentionally shut off, and adjacent containers are observed to ensure they don’t catch fire. This minimizes the severity and duration of any potential event.
Additionally, the Project’s setbacks from property lines substantially exceed all National, State and Local requirements, providing an additional safety buffer in the unlikely event of a fire.
Potential hazards associated with the Project have been thoroughly studied by independent third-party experts and the City. A third-party Plume Study, reviewed by City staff and the Fire District, modeled a worst - case fire at ten times the thermal runaway observed in UL9540A testing. The Study found that hazardous
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
impacts remain within the Project boundary, never reaching adjacent properties. There also is a significant buffer between the Project site and the nearest homes (over 1,000 feet away) and Ayala Park (roughly 1,100 feet from the nearest battery unit), further reducing the potential for any impacts at those locations. The Study found that off-site air quality levels remain well below state and federal health thresholds, even in a worst-case event, and in all wind scenarios.
Several comments also referred to the thermal runaway event which occurred at the Moss Landing facility in January 2025. Notably, the BESS thermal runaway incident which occurred at Moss Landing involved an antiquated design comprised of outdated battery chemistry (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) installed inside a building with batteries exposed to a sprinkler system. Current codes have been explicitly written to disallow this type of design and prevent similar events from happening. As a result of these code updates and more advanced development and design, industry-wide incidents are rare. Incident rates have fallen over 98% since 2018 when averaged across global installed BESS capacity, while installations have grown exponentially. To date an event has never caused a loss of life.
Finally, the Project will include a detailed Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in accordance with state law. The ERP must be approved by the Chino Valley Fire District (CVFD) before the site may operate and remains subject to City and CVFD enforcement throughout the life of the Project. The Applicant is working closely with CVFD to ensure that CVFD has a comprehensive understanding of the project and is fully trained to address any potential issues. District training began in September 2026, will recur annually, and additional training may be requested at any time at the project owner's expense. The Project will also ensure local firefighting capacity through direct coordination and contributions to CVFD and maintain local staff that are committed to a Fire Mitigation Personnel dispatch time of 15-minutes per Fire COA 3.7.
2. Insurance, Decommissioning, and Long-Term Accountability Many commenters requested further information regarding project insurance and decommissioning requirements. As provided below, the Project is subject to enforceable conditions of approval and obligations requiring a decommissioning and restoration plan, financial assurances, and liability insurance. These insurance, decommissioning, and long-term maintenance obligations have been incorporated into legally binding permit conditions or the Development Agreement with the City, which are tied to the Project and remain enforceable by the City regardless of who owns or operates the facility . • Decommissioning. Before construction may commence, the City must approve a removal and site restoration plan that includes adequate financial assurances to fund decommissioning. This plan and the financial assurances are required by the City’s Municipal Code, Conditions of Approval, and the Development Agreement. Batteries and components will be recycled through commercial recyclers which have proven the ability to recover over 95% of critical minerals at scale. • Insurance and indemnification. The Project carries sufficient third-party liability insurance covering persons and property, with required coverage specified in the Development Agreement and permit conditions.
The Development Agreement also includes indemnification language that obligates the project company to cover third-party claims against the City.
• Change of ownership. Aypa Power intends to be the long-term owner and operator. Regardless, these obligations are attached to the Project itself. Any future owner assumes them, and the City retains the right to confirm that the owner has the financial capability and expertise to operate the Project and comply with all conditions of approval. The Project is also held in a special purpose vehicle with non-
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
recourse financing, insulating its land, permits, interconnection rights, and revenue contracts from parent - level companies.
3. Public Benefits and Electricity Rates
Several commenters requested further information on the Project’s public benefits and whether the Project would impact electricity rates. As discussed at the hearing and as further provided in the Development Agreement, the Project is projected to deliver in excess of $84 million in direct benefits to Chino over its operating life:
• Over $13 million in property taxes retained by the City of Chino • Over $60 million in property taxes attributed to Chino area districts such as CVUSD and CVFD • $4 million in guaranteed sales and use tax
• $6 million in community benefit payments under the Development Agreement • $600k in direct commitments to Chino Valley Fire Department to bolster response capability • $550k in Development Impact Fees
• $500k in offsite improvements
• $150k of direct support for local community organizations • Local union construction jobs under an already-executed Project Labor Agreement, which focuses efforts on the hiring of local skilled labor.
• An independent analysis found that the Project delivers several times the property taxes as compared to the land's current industrial use.
Regarding electricity rates, battery storage projects result in downward pressure on electricity bills. The facility charges midday when solar generation is abundant, inexpensive, and often curtailed, then discharges during the evening peak when people are at home using electricity. This displaces the most expensive type of purchased power, gas peaker plants, which would otherwise need to be discharged during peak hours, and provides a cheaper alternative to expensive transmission system upgrades . Although the utility companies and the California Public Utilities Commission are ultimately responsible for electricity rate setting, the Project will put downward pressure on energy prices.
Dirac BESS also provides a benefit to the community by providing grid reliability for local energy users during extreme heat events, grid emergencies and peak demand. The Project can provide power for up to 400,000 homes during critical grid events.
4. How the Facility Operates — It Is Not Related to Data Centers Several public comments requested more information about how BESS facilities operate and whether the Project involves a data center component. The Project provides grid balancing infrastructure and is not an electricity end user. It absorbs surplus generation during low-demand hours and returns it to the grid at peak periods and during outages. The Project interconnects with Southern California Edison's existing Chino substation, which the State's grid operator (CAISO) has identified as an area that requires additional local capacity and grid reliability resources to meet peak demand. Because power flows to the nearest users, that energy serves Chino and surrounding communities.
Additionally, the Project is not related to a data center. Aypa Power does not develop data centers, and the Project's stored energy is contracted to public utilities and community choice aggregators, not to any specific end user. Once developed with a BESS facility, the site Project could not be converted to a data center. A
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
data center would be an entirely new and different project that would require its own site, permits and interconnection.
5. Public Notice and CEQA Review
Finally, several comments addressed the City’s public notice requirements. In accordance with the City of Chino code, the City provided notice of the Project to properties within 300 feet of the Project site. The City separately published notice for the public hearing in the Chino Champion. The Project complied with all noticing requirements and exceeded requirements for public engagement. The Applicant reached out to 1,500 residential properties up to 4,500 feet from the project site. Four community open houses were held to further address any concerns or inquiries from residents. Outreach to constituents continues through the week of September 7th, and we are hosting a virtual open house on September 12th, prior to City Council Meeting to address any outstanding questions from residents.
The Project has been under City review for nearly 18 months, and the full set of environmental studies was publicly available in advance of the hearing, consistent with the City's normal practice and State law. The City also has maintained a Project-specific page on its website, as well as a copy of the Project’s CEQA documents.
Environmental review was completed in accordance with CEQA using a Section 15183 analysis tiered from the 2045 Chino General Plan Environmental Impact Report. The Section 15183 Checklist analyzed potential Project-specific impacts to air quality, water, noise, traffic, hazards, fire, biology, soils, and others, concluding that the Project would not result in any project-specific peculiar impacts not already analyzed in the 2045 Chino General Plan Environmental Impact Report. The Project also is subject to all applicable mitigation measures identified in the General Plan Update EIR and uniformly applied development policies or standards that substantially mitigate environmental impacts. City staff reviewed the environmental analysis independently and recommended approval.
The Project is appropriately sited on land zoned General Industrial (“M2”) under the City’s zoning code and is located near existing electrical infrastructure. The City recently adopted revisions to its Zoning Code which confirm that BESS are permitted in the M2 zone approval of a Conditional Use Permit and Development Agreement. The Project complies with all relevant zoning code development standards, as well as applicable national, state and local fire codes, and is subject to enforceable conditions of approval and Development Agreement obligations which ensure that decommissioning and financial security requirements, emergency response requirements, and development standards will be met throughout the life of the Project. We are committed to continuing the conversation with the community and the City . The attached matrix responds to each individual public comment. We are happy to address any additional questions or concerns as they arise.
Respectfully submitted,
Geoff Forner, Director of Development
Enclosure: Dirac Energy Storage Project — Public Comment and Response Matrix
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Public Comment and Response Matrix
Name
Issue
Category Issue Raised
Response
Code Response
Unnamed
Speaker (1.3
mi from site)
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Blackstone reportedly
sold under 'Project
Alpha' for $4B — what
binds a future buyer to
safety/decommission
standards;
compensation too low
relative to risk
AC1
Project safety, insurance, decommissioning, site
maintenance, and cleanup requirements, as well
as commitments to the community are written
into legally binding permit conditions and
agreements with the City. Aypa Power is the
long-term owner and operator of the Project.
However, these requirements and commitments
remain attached to the Project, thus if the
Project is ever sold, the new owner assumes the
responsibilities and requirements. If a new owner
were to assume control of the Project, the City
has the right to ensure the new owner has the
financial capability and expertise to assume all of
the obligations of the Project. The Project carries
extensive third-party liability insurance that is
scoped to cover individuals and property in the
unlikely event an emergency generates impacts
offsite. For further details on liability insurance
please refer to response AC3.
Unnamed
Speaker (1.3
mi from site)
General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions Boyle Heights
and toxic air aftermath
and how companies are
not accepting
responsibility for what
happened - companies
are trying to protect
themselves but have no
care for residents they
impacted
AC1
Ronald
Walker
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Concerned about who
would accept
accountability if
something goes wrong
- while company can
walk away from failure,
residents cannot
AC1
Lisa
Collinsworth
General Plan
and Zoning
Liability owner if
something goes wrong? AC1
Margaret
Nieto
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Undeveloped battery
recycling infrastructure
(EPA/Cal Fire); toxic
fumes crossing city
limits
AC2
Before construction can commence, the project
will finalize a City-approved plan for removing
the equipment and restoring the site at the end
of its operation. The project company will set
aside financial assurances to pay for this work as
required by the City's Municipal Code, the
Conditions of Approval and the Development
Agreement. It is the project company's legal
responsibility to ensure the site is appropriately
decommissioned and restored.
Batteries and project components will be
recycled at the end of the project's operation. A
robust domestic recycling infrastructure is
already operating at scale today, led by
Dr. Josue
Sandigo
General Plan
and Zoning
Requested
decommissioning plan
and end-of-life financial
responsibility
AC2
Debby
Pinedo
General Plan
and Zoning
Decommissioning Plan
and who is financially
responsible for battery
removal/disposal.
AC2
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Lisa
Collinsworth
General Plan
and Zoning
Decommissioning
responsibility? AC2
established commercial recyclers like Redwood
Materials. These recycling companies are
capable of safely processing utility-scale battery
systems and recovering over 95% of critical
minerals such as lithium to feed directly back
into the supply chain. The International Energy
Agency projects global Li-Ion recycling capacity
could exceed 1,500 GWh by 2030, providing
high confidence that project components can be
properly disposed of at the end of operations.
Justin
Alcober
General Plan
and Zoning
Decommissioning Plan
and financial assurance
instrument
AC2
Paul Griffin
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Asks if Aypa has
acquired adequate
insurance to help
anyone who gets
affected, should there
be a fallout, with all of
their medical coverage
for everything for life?
AC3
The company carries robust liability insurance
that would apply to personal injury or property-
damage claims tied to the project. The required
coverage is written into the Development
Agreement with the City and in the permit
conditions. Although adverse impacts from the
Project are highly unlikely, the project maintains
comprehensive, dedicated insurance coverage.
Furthermore, robust indemnification language is
included in the Project Development
Agreement, meaning the project company is
legally required to cover any third-party claims
made against the City. Bankruptcy of a parent
company presents a very low risk for these types
of projects. Projects are held inside Special
Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that independently hold
the land, permits, interconnection rights, and
long-term revenue contracts, completely
insulated from parent-level liabilities. Project
level financing is non-recourse, and direct
agreements empower lenders to step in and
replace operators or management without
disrupting plant operations. Because these
guaranteed, multi-year long term revenue
agreements and valuable grid connections keep
the asset fundamentally solvent, the project
continues operating uninterrupted while its
equity is restructured or sold to a new owner.
Benjamin
Sotelo
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Asked whether
commissioners will own
the decision if an
incident occurs;
insurance cannot
restore a family's health
or safety
AC3
Terrea
Currie Economic
Ask how city residents
will be compensated for
destruction of property
and loss of business
revenue.
AC3
Debby
Pinedo
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Fault liability in the
event of fire or
contamination event -
city or owners; asks if
DA includes any
insurance, bonding, or
indemnification
requirements
AC3
Ronald
Walker
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Indemnity/no-
bankruptcy
commitment from
Blackstone/Aypa;
ordinance should
prohibit contracting
excess capacity to data
centers; questioned off-
peak buy / peak sell
profit structure and
resident benefit
AC3
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Dr. Josue
Sandigo
Process &
Community
Engagement
Only 3-4 residents at
open house; zero prior
public comments
interpreted as lack of
awareness
CE1
The Project complied with all noticing
requirements. Local law required the Project to
notify neighbors within 300 feet of the project
site, and the project voluntarily provided notice
beyond that requirement. Aypa reached out to
most residential within 4,000 feet, knocking on
over 1,500 doors, and hosting 5 community
open houses to inform those interested of the
proposed project. We are also expanding
outreach now - continuing to meet with
neighbors, answering questions directly, and
sharing updates as the project moves forward.
Aypa is committed to being a strong and
supportive community partner, demonstrated by
the robust outreach to community members,
hosting open houses, and ongoing partnerships
with local community organizations.
The City of Chino also maintains a project-
specific page on its website and published an ad
in the Chino Champion Newspaper notifying of
the Project's hearing in accordance with City
regulations.
Unnamed
Speaker (1.3
mi from site)
Process &
Community
Engagement
Notification inadequate
(lives outside 900-ft
radius); questioned who
initiated the project and
why it appears fast-
tracked
CE1
Paul Griffin
Process &
Community
Engagement
Learned about project
via Facebook at 2 PM
for a 6 PM meeting
CE1
Betty Rose
Process &
Community
Engagement
Community raised
questions the
commission did not;
double standard vs
assisted-living
extension; learned days
earlier via out-of-state
friend on social media;
asked for equitable
input
CE1
Landon PR
Process &
Community
Engagement
Alerted via social media
at noon for a 6 PM
meeting — insufficient
research time
CE1
Michael
Lopez
Process &
Community
Engagement
Says that they just
found project on social
media at 3:00
CE1
Daniel
Vetrano
Process &
Community
Engagement
Poor notification and
awareness gap
contradict stated values
(commitment,
communication,
engagement); applicant
are salespeople while
the commission
represents residents
CE1
Terrea
Currie
Process &
Community
Engagement
Feels like residents
weren't properly
notified of this project
CE1
Justin
Alcober
Process &
Community
Engagement
Mentions there's been
a lack of public
awareness about the
project
CE1
Justin
Alcober
Process &
Community
Engagement
Says that Aypa has not
responded to
Champion's (community
newspaper) requests for
comments
CE1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Justin
Alcober
Process &
Community
Engagement
Requests record reflect
mailed-notice radius
justification - if not
statutory minimum then
continue and re-notice
on a radius that is equal
to what is being
proposed
CE1
Myra
Hurtado
Process &
Community
Engagement
Heard about the project
via Facebook the same
day as the meeting
CE1
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Process &
Community
Engagement
Told city knew 'a year
ago' yet printed one
month before meeting;
opposed fast-tracking
without community
knowledge
CE2
The Project has been under review with City staff
for nearly 18 months and the full set of
environmental studies was available to the public
before the hearing, as is typical with any project
being heard at Planning Commission in the City
of Chino. The City is doing extensive review on
this project to ensure it meets the standards of
the Community Development Department,
Chino Valley Fire District, and all other
applicable codes, as well as provides sufficient
community benefits to the residents of Chino.
Aypa Power is committed to being a strong
community partner, and has committed to such
in the City of Chino
Daniel
Ceballos
Process &
Community
Engagement
Asked commissioners
to validate concerns
and not rush; needs
more information on
long-term
consequences
CE2
Gene
Berger
Process &
Community
Engagement
Says that city's support
of project conflicts their
statement that Chino is
committed to families
CE2
Andres
Hotel
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Doubts that Aypa cares
about a city that is
known for "prisons and
cows" - doesn't believe
we would care if
someone gets hurt
CE2
Dr. Josue
Sandigo
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Mentions $6M
community benefits and
$4M tax revenue are
tied to fast-track
schedule - wishes
resident notification
urgency was also
equally applied
CE2
Amanda
Shade
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Requested
environmental analysis CQ1
A full environmental review was done in
compliance with California Environmental Quality
Act. This covered air quality, water, noise, traffic,
hazards, fire, biology, soils and erosion, and
others. The CEQA 15183 analyzes the
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared to
support adoption of 2045 Chino General Plan
and analyzed project-specific impacts in relation
to the previous environmental review,
determining that the Project would not result in
Justin
Alcober
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Confirmation of
whether environmental
review proceeds a full
EIR ; objects to MND
CQ1
Rafael
Gutierrez
General Plan
and Zoning
Says that project does
not follow CEQA's and CQ1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
local municipal codes
and fails test of how
detrimental it is to
community
new or peculiar impacts not previously analyzed
as part of the General Plan EIR. City staff
reviewed all environmental analysis
independently and recommended approval. This
analysis meets all requirements by the California
Environmental Quality Act, as well as all other
State and Local laws & requirements. The
analysis referenced above can be viewed on the
City website using the following link:
https://www.cityofchino.org/591/Environmental-
Documents
Chirag Patel General Plan
and Zoning
Says that project does
not follow CEQA's and
local municipal codes
and fails test of how
detrimental it is to
community
CQ1
Margaret
Nieto
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Brings up power
demands due to Data
centers — cited Aypa
website re: AI data
center power demand
and alleged City of
Industry precursor claim
DC1
Our company does not build data centers. This is
being proposed only as a battery-storage site.
The power stored by this Project is injected to
the SCE grid, and flows to the nearest electricity
users, which are Chino and the surrounding area,
not a distant data center. The Project is
contracted to public utilities and community
choice aggregators, not any specific user such as
data center. The region is growing via industrial
users, businesses, and residential subdivisions.
The Aypa website and the Dirac website do not
make any claim that connect this project and
others to data centers, nor does it suggest they
could be easily converted to a data center. In
fact, due to the development of data centers,
projects like this one are needed to ensure grid
capacity and stability to maintain uninterrupted
service to homes and businesses. The increased
load on the grid requires additional energy
infrastructure and reliability assets to supply
sufficient power, and ensure there are not any
black-outs in time of high energy demand on the
grid, such as a heat wave
Ronald
Walker
General Plan
and Zoning
Asks for specific use
that outlines what we
can and can't do?
Example used "you
can't specifically
contract for a data
center based on excess
load?"
DC1
Tyler
Winters
General Plan
and Zoning
Asks where exactly the
energy is going - data
centers, residents, etc.?
DC1
Gene
Berger
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Data center conversion
risk once sufficient
cooling is added;
recommended
independent
consultants (e.g.,
KPMG) to represent the
city; suggested
exploring a more
remote location
DC1
Andres
Hotel
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Can't trace the flow of
an electron' undermines
local-benefit claim
(possible data center
use); doubted
Blackstone would
prioritize a small
community; $150k
YMCA commitment
disproportionate to risk
DC1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Landon PR
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Concern approval sets a
trend of BESS facilities
serving as precursors to
AI data centers
DC1
Daniel
Ceballos
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
How city revenue would
be spent; skeptical
electricity costs would
increase
EC1
This project helps lower electricity costs rather
than increase them. By reducing the expensive
power utilities must buy during peak evening
hours and limiting the need for costly natural-gas
"peaker" plants, it generates savings that are
passed to ratepayers. It also provides a cost-
effective alternative to expensive transmission
upgrades.
The project uses little to no water during normal
operation, relying on its connection primarily for
emergency use and minimal landscaping
irrigation. This represents a substantial water
reduction compared to both existing site use
and potential manufacturing alternatives.
David Todd
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Potential increases to
electricity and water
rates
EC1
Ronald
Walker Economic
Asked if they get sales
tax when we sell energy
we are getting from
sucking up their power?
EC2
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) do not
consume power as an end user. They act as
energy balancing infrastructure. The facility
absorbs surplus generation during low demand
hours and injects power back onto the grid
during high demand peak periods or outages.
The community gains significant value from this
project. The Project generates in-excess of $23M
of direct benefits for Chino over the project life.
This is comprised of over $13 million in property
taxes to be retained by Chino, $4M of Sales &
Use Tax to benefit the City of Chino, $6M in
Community Benefit payments within the
Development Agreement, payment of a
Development Impact Fee, plus direct support of
community organizations, and creation of local
union construction jobs. An independent
analysis found it delivers several times the value
of the current industrial use of the land.
On sales tax specifically, the project doesn't pay
sales tax on the electricity it stores, as that
electricity is discharged back onto the grid, but it
does generate significant sales and use tax for
the purchase of the equipment. The City has
ensured as much of this tax is directed to the
Ronald
Walker Economic
Who gets / does
anyone get a
governance piece our
profit margin ?
EC2
Paul Griffin
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Questioned cost-
benefit for residents;
whether project raises
their electricity bill; how
Aypa profits and
whether residents
benefit
EC2
Betty Rose
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Concern the city is
losing out financially in
the deal as presented
EC2
Debby
Pinedo Economic The DA contributes $10
million to city benefits. EC2
Rafael
Gutierrez Economic
States that project
generates zero long
term daily jobs or
economic activity for
city
EC2
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Rafael
Gutierrez
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Mentions project
introduces hazard
without delivering
public benefit to
neighborhood
EC2
locality as possible. The City of Chino is
committed to directing these funds to provide as
much benefit to the residents as possible.
Chirag Patel Economic
States that project
generates zero long
term daily jobs or
economic activity for
city
EC2
Chirag Patel
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Mentions project
introduces hazard
without delivering
public benefit to
neighborhood
EC2
Michael
Lopez
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Local labor quality —
distinction between
apprentice-level
workers and highest-
standard trades needed
for a facility of this scale
EC3
The project will be built by local union trades
under an agreement that prioritizes hiring
locally. The Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for
this project is already executed and will place an
emphasis on qualified, local skilled labor. It
includes apprenticeship opportunities for local
students, allowing them a path into the skilled
trades.
Lisa Martin
(UCLA
Emergency
Mgmt.)
Emergency
Response &
Notification
No community
notification or
emergency response
plan specific to the
facility; autonomous
shutoffs can fail.
ER1
The Project's Plume Study, which is available as
an appendix to the CEQA document, modeled a
conservative thermal runaway event and
concluded that any hazard stays within the
project boundary. Thus no evacuations would be
expected in the surrounding area.A detailed
emergency response plan (ERP) is required by
state law and must be prepared in coordination
with the Chino Valley Fire Department. The ERP
must receive the Fire Department's approval
before the site can operate. This Project is
preparing and implementing the ERP to ensure
sufficient emergency response and to ensure
community safety.Although the local evacuation
decision ultimately rests with the Fire
Department and the City, the plan will be shared
with the public for broader awareness and
preparation. The plan analyzes and determines
how the site is shut down and any thermal
events are isolated, how the Fire Department is
alerted, how neighbors would be notified, and
how the air is monitored. The site is staffed
during normal business hours and is monitored
24/7 from a remote operations center. In the
event of an incident outside of business hours,
Aypa employees assigned to the project will be
local and available to respond and coordinate
with first responders. Battery Energy Storage
Dr. Josue
Sandigo
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Requested shelter-in-
place or evacuation
radius for a thermal
event
ER1
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Emergency
Response &
Notification
City contingency plans;
whether residents
supplied hazmat
equipment; fire dept
trained hands-on vs
classroom; inter-agency
coordination during
Santa Ana wind events
ER1
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Process &
Community
Engagement
What will the police
department's response
be?
ER1
Rosetta
Cummings
(prior U.S.
Military
Army EOD
Bomb
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Whether 4-7 employees
are on-site 24/7 vs
remotely operated;
inability to evacuate
quickly with 8 children
ER1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Squad
Member)
Systems (BESS) will play a critical role in
powering the 2028 Olympic Village at UCLA by
ensuring grid resilience, managing extreme peak
demand, and supporting the Games' zero-
carbon goals. In the LA28 (Olympics)
Sustainability and Impact Plan, the Plan explicitly
states that the goal is to, "maximize the use of
lower-carbon temporary power technologies,
such as batteries and solar, to the extent
feasible". Additionally BESS already exists at the
UCLA campus and mobile Trailor-mounted BESS
units are planned for the Olympic facilities
themselves. BESS is a key part of the operation
of the Olympic Village, not a safety or security
concern.
Gene
Berger
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Envisioned a failure
during a large Ayala
Park event with roads
packed — evacuation
and fire-truck access
ER1
Terrea
Currie
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Requests evacuation
zones that have been
modeled and a
completed emergency
response plan to be
shared with the public
ER1
Terrea
Currie
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Requests a plan on how
residents will be
notified in the event
that a
shelter/evacuation are
needed and if an
emergency shelter will
be provided by city.
ER1
Terrea
Currie
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Mentions that while the
city may be after
revenue, what would
happen in the event of
an emergency?
ER1
Debby
Pinedo
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Requests evacuation
and shelter-in-place
radius.
ER1
Debby
Pinedo
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Fire department
response time
commitments and how
a fire/off-gassing
commitment would be
communicated in real
time to residents
nearby.
ER1
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Evacuation and shelter
trigger, radius, and
issuer?
ER1
Rafael
Gutierrez
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Mentions shelter-in-
place and evacuation
orders
ER1
Chirag Patel
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Mentions shelter-in-
place and evacuation
orders
ER1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Lisa Martin
(UCLA
Emergency
Mgmt.)
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Concerns stem from
concerns for
safety/security of
Olympic Village (2028)
athletes. She is
responsible for
emergency operation
center, emergency
notification/response
for all emergency
situations that may arise
with village.
ER1
Amanda
Shade
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Requested fire
department capacity
verification and water-
requirement analysis
FD1
Chino Valley Fire Department is the lead
reviewer of the Project’s Emergency Response
Plan (ERP). It has already reviewed the project's
site plans and Fire District requirements are built
into the approval conditions. It must approve the
final fire plan and ERP before the site can
operate. The district is scheduled to receive the
first of several training sessions beginning in
September 2026. State Code requires the
Project to provide the Department with annual
training, and the Fire Department can request
additional training at any time, which would be
funded by the Project owner. Through this
protocol, Fire and additional Emergency
Response teams will have ample site-specific
training for the approved plan and will arrange
the proper resources to respond to an event
prior to the project beginning operations. The
Project, in coordination with the Fire
Department, will conduct a fire flow water
pressure analysis to ensure the municipal water
connections are sufficient for the Department's
needs. Finally, there will be local staff able to
respond to an incident and assist the Fire
Department in their response. These employees
will live locally and will be experts in BESS, the
facility and its approved ERP. They will adhere to
a response time defined in the ERP that ensures
they are onsite to coordinate with first
responders to address any incident.
Lisa Martin
(UCLA
Emergency
Mgmt.)
Process &
Community
Engagement
Questioned whether
city preparedness
coordinator (who only
handles community
events) can handle a
major industrial incident
FD1
Ronald
Walker
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Called for specific,
written fire training
requirements rather
than vague 'as needed'
commitments
FD1
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Asks if the fire
department have any
concerns?
FD1
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Emergency
Response &
Notification
How long will training
be - 1 hour, 1 week,
etc. ?
FD1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Rosetta
Cummings
(prior U.S.
Military
Army EOD
Bomb
Squad
Member)
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Requests a true
engineer that knows fire
safety comes in to
evaluate - not James
FD1
Terrea
Currie
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
County Fire
Department capability
concerns such as:
training on how to
handle lithium-ion
battery fires, number of
firefighters needed to
handle a "worst-case"
battery fire, would
nearby stations need to
be brought in to assist.
Expresses concerns
with Garden Groves
and Boyle Heights.
FD1
Terrea
Currie
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Asks what the expected
duration of a worst-case
fire is.
FD1
Debby
Pinedo
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Requests specific
conditions that fire
department attached to
project - not just what
was approved
FD1
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Does CVFD have the
staffing, resources,
water supply, and
training needed to
handle a 400 MW LFP
thermal runaway fire?
FD1
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
CVFD response
structure - active
suppression or
defensive containment
and controlled burn
out?
FD1
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Multiple aid
dependencies and their
realistic response time?
FD1
Rafael
Gutierrez
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Says project places
unfair operational strain
and threat to health
and wellbeing of Fire
Department personnel
FD1
Chirag Patel
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Says project places
unfair operational strain
and threat to health
FD1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
and wellbeing of Fire
Department personnel
Art Valencia
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Mentions BESS
container structural and
systemic weaknesses
during thermal runaway
- pulled from personal
research done
FS1
The batteries for this Project are housed in
separate containerized units, spaced per
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards. Each
container is sealed and independently tested so
that if one overheats, the event stays inside the
single unit and won't propagate to adjacent
containers. Third-party testing is available online
and demonstrates how these systems contain
the event to a single container. The Project is
enclosed by a 10-foot blast rated masonry wall,
further containing an event within the site
boundary.Historically, BESS incidents have
primarily involved older, less stable cell
chemistries housed indoors rather than in
standalone outdoor containers, allowing thermal
events to spread between units. The Fire
Department's plan is to keep any affected unit
isolated and to cool the surrounding units until
temperatures stabilize. By applying water on
units adjacent to the unit of concern, the
adjacent units are cooled and kept at a
temperature that makes thermal propagation
extremely unlikely. It is important to
acknowledge fires aren't unique to batteries.
Unlike a warehouse full of mixed materials, a
battery site is designed specifically to keep a
problem from spreading across the site. The
constituent materials that are produced by a fire
have been analyzed via the Project's plume
study and large-scale industry testing, and any
smoke or emissions from a fire would be similar
to an ordinary house or structure fire; the Project
does not contain any unique hazards. For this
reason, we feel confident a fire at the site has a
better-known safety profile than most other
structure fires.
Art Valencia
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
If a thermal runaway
event occurs, weak
points can turn into a
localized battery, and
battery failure and into
a severe hazard.
FS1
Myra
Hurtado
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Mentions that lithium
batteries can't be put
out with water and
flames can expand
above brick walls.
FS1
Andres
Hotel
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Brings up example of
how phone will let you
know if it is overheating
- will battery do the
same or will they just be
sitting out in sun
waiting to blow up?
FS1
Landon PR
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Concerns about fire
training and vagueness
of answer of how long a
fire would last
FS1
Thomas
Colburn
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Mentions that batteries
are typically highly
flammable and difficult
to put out
FS1
Thomas
Colburn
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Will there be fire walls
around property to
prevent their facility
from being destroyed?
FS1
David Todd
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Battery fires difficult to
extinguish and prone to
re-ignition
FS1
Dr. Josue
Sandigo
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Requested written
confirmation of LFP
battery chemistry
FS2
Battery units used in the Project are Lithium Iron
Phosphate (LFP), chosen specifically because it's
one of the safest and most stable chemistries
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Rosetta
Cummings
(prior U.S.
Military
Army EOD
Bomb
Squad
Member)
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Lithium's extreme
reactivity (she has a
chemistry background);
proliferating EV fires;
questioned
qualifications of fire
consultant ('James' is a
firefighter, not an
engineer)
FS2
available. It has a strong internal structure that
makes it very hard to overheat and slow to react.
Therefore it has an excellent safety record and is
far less prone to fire than the older battery
chemistries involved in past incidents.
Comparing pure Lithium and its extreme
reactivity to Lithium Iron Phosphate is very
misleading. As an example, pure sodium is very
reactive and unstable, but Sodium Chloride, or
table salt, is stable and even safe to eat.
Similarly, Lithium in an LFP battery is chemically
bonded into a stable compound. On top of that
fundamental chemical stability, the batteries are
housed in certified steel enclosures with multiple
redundant, engineered safety systems designed
to prevent any incident before it can start.
Debby
Pinedo
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Requests battery
chemistry project is
using; mentions Moss
Landing's use of nickel-
manganese-cobalt
chemistry and how LFP
carries less risk
FS2
Lisa
Collinsworth
General Plan
and Zoning Battery chemistry type? FS2
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
PRR: Confirmed battery
chemistry (LFP or NMC) FS2
David Todd
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Mentions area is prone
to regional earthquakes
and the shaking at the
BESS could negatively
affect area causing
damage and fire
FS3
Each battery unit is monitored around the clock
by an automatic system that tracks its
temperature, voltage, current, and condition,
backed by a staffed control center. If any fault is
tripped, including anything set off by an
earthquake, the system shuts that unit down on
its own and alerts the Fire Department and other
teams immediately.
Each unit has its own liquid-cooling system that
holds the batteries at a safe temperature and
can be watched and adjusted remotely. As with
any other development in Chino, the site is
engineered to California's strict earthquake and
ground-settlement standards. The project would
automatically disconnect from the grid and
deenergize in the event of an earthquake.
Unnamed
Speaker (1.3
mi from site)
General Plan
and Zoning
Has a Tesla that has a
mind of its own,
sometimes can't be
controlled, and
uncertain at times -
relates to uncertainty of
what will happen in
future to project
(example used =
"blowing up")
FS3
Amanda
Shade
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Requested full
independent
quantitative risk
assessment of thermal
runaway and fire hazard
FS4
A fire-safety review has already been completed,
not by the battery manufacturer, but by third-
party fire protection experts. It is available in the
public record alongside the Project CEQA
document. These studies follow required
national and state safety standards and were
reviewed by City staff and Fire District.
The study includes real fire testing on the battery
series proposed for the Project, plus a study of a
worst-case fire. Should the City or Fire
Department determine further testing is
warranted, the Project will work with those
Sophia
Malik
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Blackstone's broader
corporate conduct and
investment priorities
(brings up political ties
to Israel donations);
whether it would
prioritize a small
FS4
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
community's safety;
urged commission to
investigate Blackstone
independently
parties to scope those studies.
Proposed enclosure separation distances, and all
setbacks were designed in accordance with
NFPA 855. NFPA 855 is the industry's golden
standard for safe and responsible project design.
Michael
Lopez
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
No metric for fire
duration; requested
independent (non-
vendor) tests in charge
and discharge
scenarios; fire
consultant not an
engineer; requested
hydrant placement
specifics
FS4
Daniel
Vetrano
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Cannot see the benefit
being worth the risk FS4
Daniel
Vetrano
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Applicant has not
provided adequate
answers on the studies
and plans required
before approval
FS4
Terrea
Currie
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Requests that an
independent risk
assessment be
conducted and
provided for public
review
FS4
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Public record request
(PRR) for: UL 9540A
large-scale fire test for
specific equipment to
be used
FS4
Justin
Alcober
Health &
Environmental
Impact
PRR: Hazard Mitigation
Analysis under NFPA
855 and proposed
enclosure separation
distance
FS4
Paul Griffin General Plan
and Zoning
Asks why don't we
propose solar panels
above the top of
project to keep the sun
off of it, especially
during the heat waves?
Argues this will add
more power to the grid.
GR1
Battery storage and solar work together. The
batteries store energy (including solar) during
the day and typically release it in the evening. In
fact, California has built so much solar that much
of daytime power goes unused. Storage is how
energy is captured for the peak demand period
in the evening, which is why this Project is
needed.
As for putting panels on top of the units, they
aren't engineered to carry panels, and for safety
reasons nothing should be on top of the panels
so that in the unlikely event of a thermal runaway
Paul Griffin
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Proposed engineering
mitigations
(underground suction
GR1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
to contain smoke; solar
above containers)
any smoke would rise and disperse rather than
be trapped.
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Health &
Environmental
Impact
What hazardous
materials would be
stored on site;
operational noise levels
HZ1
The hazardous materials kept on-site are the
following: transformer oil, refrigerant, and
backup-generator diesel. These same materials
are found at most industrial developments and
handled under State rules, including the review
and approval of a Hazardous Materials Business
Plan.
The battery containers also include a built-in
system that contains any internally leaking
coolant through a UL1973-rated system and
would also raise an alarm through the battery
management system if a leak was detected.
Semi-annual checks are performed on all coolant
systems as part of standard BESS preventative
maintenance.
Art Valencia
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Coolant by product and
HVAC waste disposal
over 25 years and at
removal; drew parallels
to Torrance/Montrose
contamination sites
HZ1
Margaret
Nieto
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Referenced Monterey
County/Moss Landing
fire and Covina
emergency moratorium;
noted 10 states have
banned BESS facilities
ML1
The fires referred to, including Moss Landing,
are very different from this Project. Moss
Landing used an older battery chemistry, was
built inside an enclosed building that trapped
heat and released gas and lacked the automatic
unit-by-unit shut-offs used today. This allowed
the fire to propagate and impact more than one
battery unit. Current codes have been written to
explicitly prevent this type of design. Further,
this project uses newer, safer battery chemistry
in separate outdoor units. Storage projects like
this one are now being permitted and built
safely across California and the world.In the
unlikely event of a fire, the hazards have been
thoroughly studied. The Plume Study notes that
in a worst-case scenario, nearby properties
(including Ayala Park) are not expected to be
directly impacted by a fire event.Lastly, the fires
that occurred at Boyle Heights and the Pacific
Palisades were unrelated to BESS. No BESS fires
in the United States have spread off site.
Tyler
Winters
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Detailed Moss Landing
fire; defined thermal
runaway (>600C) as
uncontrollable; argued
most fire departments
are not equipped
ML1
Andres
Hotel
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Aypa cited only U.S.
safety records;
questioned its record in
Canada and elsewhere
ML1
Landon PR
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Moss Landing (Jan
2023): 1,200 evacuated,
smoke spread >3 miles
vs 900-ft park distance;
fire dept
training/equipment
specific to facility
ML1
Rafael
Gutierrez
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
LFP Facilities of this size
present unpredictable
risks of thermal
runaway; mentions Otay
Mesa and Moss Landing
fires and how their fires
were out of control,
emitted toxic hydrogen
fluoride gas.
ML1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Chirag Patel
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
LFP Facilities of this size
present unpredictable
risks of thermal
runaway; mentions Otay
Mesa and Moss Landing
fires and how their fires
were out of control,
emitted toxic hydrogen
fluoride gas.
ML1
Amanda
Shade
Process &
Community
Engagement
Mentions that people
are at hearing not just
as a general pushback,
but because they are
scared. Fear rooted in
recent incidents from
past two years like
Boyle Heights, Moss
Landing, and Palisades
ML1
Tyler
Winters
Health &
Environmental
Impact
55,000 lbs. toxic metals
released in a half-mile
radius at Moss Landing;
documented
respiratory, ocular,
dermal, GI, and
neurological impacts;
children at Ayala Park
exposed
ML-1
David Todd
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Potential increase in
operational noise NS1
A noise study was conducted by a third-party
engineer and found the site produced noise well
below the City's published thresholds. This
analysis showed the noise from the project
would be more than 10 dB below background
sound levels at noise-sensitive locations. Sound
levels would be inaudible or below existing
nighttime background ambient levels, thus
creating no impact.
Amanda
Shade
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Cumulative noise
impact? NS1
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Asks what kind of noise
this project would
make? Community has
people who have
retired and just want
peace and quiet.
NS1
Rafael
Gutierrez
Health &
Environmental
Impact
HVAC and liquid
cooling infrastructure
will introduce
permanent, low
frequency hum acoustic
pollution into
residential community
NS1
Chirag Patel
Health &
Environmental
Impact
HVAC and liquid
cooling infrastructure
will introduce
permanent, low
frequency hum acoustic
NS1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
pollution into
residential community
David Todd
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Air quality impacts from
a fire breakout PL1
A Plume Study was performed by a third-party
engineer and modeled a worst-case fire. It has
been reviewed by the City and Fire Department.
At ten times the thermal runaway seen in testing,
the study found any hazardous impacts from the
fire event stay within the Project boundary. It
would not be expected to reach the immediate
neighboring properties, or the nearest homes,
the park, or a school. Any exposure to receptors
outside of the project walls remain below state
and federal health exposure thresholds.
Furthermore, the Santa Ana winds scenario is a
less conservative scenario. High winds cause the
smoke to disperse more quickly. The smoke from
this fire would be similar to an ordinary house or
structure fire; it does not contain any unique
hazards. Regardless, air quality would be actively
monitored during an emergency to guide
appropriate response. Each battery unit contains
gas detectors, and the project is planning to
install air quality monitors at strategic points
around the project boundary to provide
redundant air monitoring.
Amanda
Shade
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Toxic gas release and
impact-radius
modeling; cumulative
noise; cited Boyle
Heights (toxic dams),
Moss Landing
(longstanding
environmental impact),
Palisades water-
pressure failures
PL1
Amanda
Shade
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Thermal runway
scenario for worst case
and multiple container
fire toxic gas release?
PL1
Amanda
Shade
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Modelled impact radius
for thermal runway
event and how winds
are accounted for?
PL1
Margaret
Nieto
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Mentions that city limits
do not limit the impacts
of air pollution or toxic
fumes caused by lithium
battery fibers
PL1
Myra
Hurtado
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Toxic fumes from a
lithium fire cannot be
contained by walls; risk
to
children/grandchildren;
asked why not safer
alternatives like solar
PL1
Myra
Hurtado
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Also notes that if fire
goes up in the air, how
will that impact her and
her family's health?
PL1
Benjamin
Sotelo
Emergency
Response &
Notification
Low probability still
happens' (Titanic
analogy and how it
claimed to be
"unsinkable");
estimated 700,000+
residents across Chino,
Chino Hills, and Corona
could be affected by
smoke and wind
PL1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Donna
Casas
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Fire safety risk due to
project's location in a
dense population area
PL1
Terrea
Currie
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Asks how air quality will
be monitored. PL1
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Mentions outdoor
containers does not
limit thermal runaway,
off-gassing of hydrogen
fluoride/other toxic
combustion products
from a failed enclosure,
or occurrence
probability
PL1
Justin
Alcober Economic
Mentions city is being
asked to absorb hazard
and permanent
industrial land use
directly next to largest
community public park
- all in exchange for tax
revenue
PL1
Justin
Alcober
Health &
Environmental
Impact
PRR: Modeled toxic
plume dispersion under
Santa Ana and other
wind conditions -
overlaid on all
surrounding areas
PL1
Rafael
Gutierrez
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Worried about any
public health, safety,
and welfare risks
PL1
Chirag Patel
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Worried about any
public health, safety,
and welfare risks
PL1
Terrea
Currie
General Plan
and Zoning
Says that city coffers
will be drained and
property values will
plummet
PV1
The project is sited over 1,000ft from the nearest
residence, is contained within an already
developed industrial district, and sits behind and
adjacent to the existing SCE Chino substation.
This Project improves the site itself, replacing
aging warehouses with a cleaner, screened, and
landscaped facility with better street frontage.
The funds from the Project's development
agreement will be used at the City's discretion
for community enhancing projects.
Rafael
Gutierrez Economic
Says project creates
permanent industrial
hazard zone that
depresses surrounding
residential property
values, neighborhood
desirability, and erodes
local property tax base
for single-family
homeowners
PV1
Chirag Patel Economic
Says project creates
permanent industrial
hazard zone that
PV1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
depresses surrounding
residential property
values, neighborhood
desirability, and erodes
local property tax base
for single-family
homeowners
Tyler
Winters Economic
Mentions homes in area
of Moss landing
depreciated in value.
PV1
Amanda
Shade
General Plan
and Zoning
Project is ~4x larger
than referenced
comparables (largest
cited only 100 MW)
SC1
A project this size isn't new or experimental.
California has deployed battery storage projects
which can power millions of homes and
businesses. As noted in other responses, safety
is addressed at individual units, so a larger site
doesn't make an incident more likely or more
severe. Several other projects across the State
and Country of this size and larger have entered
operations. Many more projects of this size are
under construction and under development,
including throughout the LA County and San
Bernardino areas.
Rosetta
Cummings
(prior U.S.
Military
Army EOD
Bomb
Squad
Member)
Economic,
Corporate
Accountability
& Data Center
Project is 4x larger than
the single 100 MW
facility referenced;
unproven at 400 MW
scale
SC1
David Todd
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Cited documented
incidents of battery of
BESS being
compromised and
caused loss life and
property
SR1
As the BESS industry has grown quickly, the
number of fires has dropped sharply. Incidents
are down roughly 98% per installed gigawatt
hour (GWh) since 2018 as safer batteries and
stronger national safety codes took hold. The
serious incidents people have heard of were
larger fires at older or indoor sites. A modern
outdoor site like this is built to a much higher
standard. To date no battery-storage fire in the
U.S. has caused a death of a first responder or
civilian or spread off site.
Mary Jane
Soell (for
Benjamin
Soell)
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Brings up that
neighbor's barn was set
on fire due to fireworks
and incident claimed a
life
SR1
Terrea
Currie
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
Concerns stem from
recent illegal fireworks
explosion in city that
stretched local fire
resources and claimed a
life
SR1
Michael
Chavira
(Rite-Way
Flooring)
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Mentions other cities
have stopped
construction after more
consideration regarding
SR1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
environmental and
citizen impact
Lisa Martin
(UCLA
Emergency
Mgmt.)
Process &
Community
Engagement
Her family resides 1.5
miles away from project
- while she is lucky to
have resources to leave
in emergency, what
about everyone else?
ST1
The equipment sits on industrial land, with the
nearest homes in a separate residential area
more than 1,000 feet away. The homes
themselves are not in the industrial zone and are
buffered by other existing industrial uses. Every
study during the CEQA process found that even
in a worst-case fire, no harmful emissions reach
beyond the project's own property. We're
committed to ongoing outreach with neighbors
as the project moves forward to help inform the
surrounding residents of the safety of this
development.
Art Valencia
Process &
Community
Engagement
Opposing because Art
and family live 2 miles
away from location and
would be directly
impacted if something
happens
ST1
Benjamin
Sotelo
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Lives 3 blocks away
from project; money
alone won't make him
whole if something
goes wrong; fears he
lives in radius of danger
ST1
Rafael
Gutierrez
General Plan
and Zoning
Concerned about
projects proximity to
local schools and
neighborhood
ST1
Rafael
Gutierrez
General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions that project's
close proximity to
homes and schools
jeopardizes thousands
of families
ST1
Chirag Patel General Plan
and Zoning
Concerned about
projects proximity to
local schools and
neighborhood
ST1
Chirag Patel General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions that project's
close proximity to
homes and schools
jeopardizes thousands
of families
ST1
David Todd
Process &
Community
Engagement
Him and wife have
residents of Chino for
26 years; live a half a
mile away from project
and addresses concerns
on how it will affect
those around it -
despite the fact that it's
located in an Industrial
zone
ST1
Amanda
Shade
General Plan
and Zoning
Requested detailed
alternative site analysis ST2
A battery project has to physically connect a
high-voltage electrical substation, which limits
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Amanda
Shade
Process &
Community
Engagement
Requested alternative
site analysis and
independent expert
study before any
approval
ST2
where it can be sited. This site is directly
adjacent to the existing Chino substation, which
California's grid operator (CAISO) has identified
as a location that needs local storage to keep
power reliable to users. Based on the region's
geography, providing adequate power into
these areas is challenging due to topography,
transmission constraints, and existing
development. This makes BESS outside of the
load pocket technically infeasible for providing
reliability to Chino.
As for immediate alternatives, very few industrial
parcels are both the appropriate size and
located in proximity to the substation. A
different industrial site would not put the Project
meaningfully farther from homes or the park. It
would require a longer power line to connect to
the substation which would create additional
impacts for construction. While it is challenging
to trace individual electrons, the stored power
from this project is distributed to the nearest
users. Analysis notes these to be within Chino
and the surrounding communities.
Amanda
Shade
General Plan
and Zoning
Asks if there is a better
place to place project -
somewhere less
populated?
ST2
Amanda
Shade
General Plan
and Zoning
Were there alternative
less populated areas
that were adequately
evaluated and why is
this location more
appropriate compared
to those reflecting on
the water situation?
ST2
Lisa
Collinsworth
General Plan
and Zoning
Location question - why
Chino or near a park? ST2
Justin
Alcober
General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions that good
engineering alone does
not outweigh the
projects location
ST2
Justin
Alcober
General Plan
and Zoning
Says that project does
not meet Chino-specific
grid needs; mentions
that Aypa's goal is to
support "regional
needs"
ST2
Michael
Chavira
(Rite-Way
Flooring)
General Plan
and Zoning
Believes these types of
projects should be
located far away from
property/people in case
of failure
ST2
Debby
Pinedo
General Plan
and Zoning
Asks for actual distance
away from nearest
battery enclosure to
Ayala Park; states
formal notice only went
to those within 300 ft of
site (which is zoned as
industrial); wants an
actual distance number
ST3
The nearest battery unit is set back at least 32
feet from the property edge. This distance is
multiple times more than National and Local Fire
Codes require. Ayala Park property line is about
900 feet from the site boundary and about 1,100
feet from the nearest BESS unit to the park itself.
The nearest residences are over 1,100 feet from
the project site.
Justin
Alcober
General Plan
and Zoning
Project site is close to
Ruben S. Ayala Park -
where community
events are frequently
held
ST3
Justin
Alcober
Health &
Environmental
Impact
PRR: Measured
setbacks from nearest
residence, park
ST3
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
property line, and any
school/childcare facility
Thomas
Colburn
General Plan
and Zoning
Owns business at 13930
Oaks Ave - asks how
close project batteries
are stored to their
property line
ST3
Dr. Josue
Sandigo
General Plan
and Zoning
Staff report never
specified exact distance
from nearest enclosure
to park boundary
ST3
Rafael
Gutierrez
General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions projects row
designs and walls
create blight (ugly) site
ST4
The Project includes a 10'-tall decorative wall
with dense landscaping that is sufficiently set-
back from the public right-of-way, and screens
the site from view. The BESS equipment sits
lower than the buildings there today, making the
proposed development more visually appealing
than the existing use. Aging warehouses would
be replaced with a cleaner, screened, and
professionally landscaped facility.
Chirag Patel General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions projects row
designs and walls
create blight (ugly) site
ST4
Michael
Lopez
Health &
Environmental
Impact
Where firefighting
water runoff drains in a
thermal event
(soil/water
contamination);
requested independent
ecological, noise, and
real-estate studies
WA1
The site connects to City water for onsite
restrooms, landscape irrigation, and firefighting
if ever required. It will not affect other users'
water bill or water pressure. In normal operation
it uses very little water, far less than the
warehouses on the site today, or alternative
industrial redevelopments.
In the unlikely event of a fire, the response plan
is to contain rather than inundate the batteries
with water; large amounts of water aren't
expected, and any firewater water runoff would
be contained onsite in underground storm water
facilities.
After recent battery fires in New York and San
Diego, testing of the air, soil, and water found
no traces of the fire event beyond the immediate
location within site. The project should not be
viewed as a hazard to local water supplies.
Justin
Alcober
Fire Safety &
Thermal
Runaway
PRR: Firefighting runoff
containment volume
and receiving-water
pathways
WA1
Amanda
Shade
Health &
Environmental
Impact
How much water is
required for worst case
event and will it affect
local water pressure?
WA1
Lisa Martin
(UCLA
Emergency
Mgmt.)
General Plan
and Zoning
Requests community
plan for this project. ZN1
Grid-scale energy projects are unique
developments in that they require years of
review, oversight, and qualification from the
California grid operator, and the utility (SCE in
this case) to be constructed and operated. Aypa
is not aware of any other BESS project currently
proposed in the City. The project complies with
national, state and local fire codes which set
explicit setbacks and other development
Debby
Pinedo
General Plan
and Zoning
Are there more
coming? The DA
insinuates there are
more BESS projects
coming.
ZN1
Aypa Power
11801 Domain Blvd. Suite 525 | Austin, TX 78758
Lisa
Collinsworth
General Plan
and Zoning
Anticipated future
projects? ZN1
standards for this type of use. The City has
passed a Zoning Code Amendment by way of
Ordinance which names Battery Energy Storage
Systems as a listed use in the M-2 Zone. This
Amendment also included additional
development standards to be implemented on
the project. Lastly, the Conditions of Approval,
and Development Agreement address all
additional items that a referenced 'BESS
ordinance' would require; i.e., decommissioning
requirements and security, emergency response
requirements, and development standards.
Furthermore, the Project has proposed a robust
community benefit package via the development
agreement which stands to provide the City of
Chino in-excess of $23M when considering all
direct community benefits, and tax revenue
generated by the project.
Justin
Alcober
General Plan
and Zoning
Lives less than a mile
away from project -
opposed to its exact
location (parcel) of
project - says it lacks
good framework
ZN1
Justin
Alcober
General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions that city has
not adapted any
previous BESS
ordinance measures
(unlike in Arizona) and
whatever Dirac does
will be the new
standard; says that a
BESS ordinance (with
public input) needs to
be established first
before anything is
approved
ZN1
Justin
Alcober
General Plan
and Zoning
Mentions PG&E offtake
agreement was
obtained prior to
secure land use
approval from Chino -
says that this prior
commitment should not
automatically determine
approval
ZN1
Michael
Chavira
(Rite-Way
Flooring)
General Plan
and Zoning
Believes project should
be rejected to allow the
technology, rules,
SOPs, and building
codes to catch up to
volatile technology.
ZN1
Modified 12/21/2021
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
DATE: July 15, 2026
PROJECT FILE NO.: PL25-0085 (Special Conditional Use Permit) and PL25- 0086 (Site Approval)
LOCATION: 13925 Benson Avenue, 13822 Oaks Avenue and 13910 Oaks Avenue (APNs: 1021-121-05, 1021-211-02 and 1021-211-05)
APPLICANT: Dirac Project LLC
1.0 THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS SHALL BE COMPLIED WITH TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CHINO POLICE DEPARTMENT:
1.1. Install and adequately position license plate reader quality security cameras capable of capturing nighttime video to cover door entrances (directed towards faces), driveways, all entry/exit points, rear of the property, parking lots, and safe storage locations with 24/7 monitoring.
Allow access to camera system to our Real Time Crime Center Analysis for in progress calls for service/crimes in progress. Contact: Leah Green Chino PD.
1.2. Surveillance footage needs to be stored for 30 days. In the event of a criminal investigation, the surveillance footage must be turned over to law enforcement officials.
September 14, 2026
Honorable Mayor Ulloa and
Members of the Chino City Council
City of Chino
13220 Central Avenue
Chino, CA 91710
RE: Support for the Dirac Project
Dear Mayor and Members of the Chino City Council,
My name is Mako Lau, and I am the COO for Traction Express in the City of Chino. We have operated in Chino for 3 years and are proud to be part of the local business community.
Our company is a transportation center. Our daily operations are heavily dependent on a reliable electrical grid. For this reason, we view AYPA Power’s proposed DIRAC Battery Energy Storage System project as a direct benefit to our company, as well as to other businesses throughout the Chino area.
As local businesses continue to grow and require more power, investments in electrical infrastructure will be increasingly important. The DIRAC project can help strengthen the local energy system, support business continuity, and provide infrastructure needed for continued economic growth in Chino.
We respectfully encourage the City Council to support and approve the DIRAC project at the upcoming hearing.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mako Lau
COO
Traction Express
From: Michael Leeming
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2026 10:53 AM
To: Reich, Linda <[email protected]>; Burton, Curtis <[email protected]>; Comstock, Karen <[email protected]>; Ulloa, Eunice <[email protected]> Subject: [EXT EMAIL] FW: 10 Document(s) filed in Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project, 24-OPT-05,
Didn’t know if you noticed the hyperlink has the document
We have 45 solar panels on our home, but no longer make enough, and our Edison settlement bill is $6,000 to $7,000 per year
This document is favor of battery storage addresses the significant economic benefits in Taxes and jobs, as well as being able to provide power after the sun goes down
Do you know now we make so much solar power in CA we pay Utilities in AZ and other states to take if from us because we make too much during the day and have nowhere to put it
I am personally not worried about fire, we have the best fire department on the planet.
Here's the attachment as a link for your review:
TN272449_20260909T165723_Rachel Shoemake Comments - Support of the Corby Battery Energy Storage Syst.pdf Add your comments and collaborate with others in real time. You don't need to download Acrobat or sign up to access the file.
does utilities in ca really pay state of Arizona to take our extra electricity production Yes, California grid operators and utilities do pay neighboring states like Arizona to take excess solar power when the state generates more electricity than its own grid can use or store. [1, 2] Why California Pays Other States
• Massive Solar Overload: California produces a huge amount of solar energy during peak daylight hours. • Lack of Storage: The state sometimes lacks enough giant batteries to store all the extra electricity. • Transmission Limits: Power lines cannot always move the massive surplus fast enough. • Negative Pricing: To prevent the local power grid from overloading, grid operators use a market system with negative prices. This means California pays outside buyers—including utilities in Arizona and Nevada—to take the electricity off its hands. [1, 2, 3]
The Scale of the Cost
• Millions of Dollars: Reports detailed by the Los Angeles Times show that California frequently dumps power this way across dozens of days each year. [1]
• Big Savings for Neighbors: For instance, Arizona’s largest public utility reaped tens of millions of dollars in savings and credits for its own customers by accepting California's surplus clean energy. As noted in an analysis by Governing, this dynamic means California ratepayers fund green energy that ultimately lowers utility bills in neighboring states. [1]
Would you like to know more about how California is building more battery storage to fix this issue, or how curtailment affects your electric bill?
Michael " Mike " J. Leeming
National and International Sales Manager
Parker Boiler Co.
email:
website www.parkerboiler.com
From: California Energy Commission <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2026 10:36 AM
To: Michael Leeming
Subject: 10 Document(s) filed in Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project, 24-OPT-05,
View as a webpage/ Share
Dear Subscribers,
The following 10 Comment(s) submitted to Docket Number 24-OPT-05 have been published:
• Docket Number: 24-OPT-05
Project Title: Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project TN Number: 272449
Title: Rachel Shoemake Comments - Support of the Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project in Solano County
Description:
Filer: System
Organization: Rachel Shoemake
Role: Public
Submission Date: 9/9/2026 4:57:23 PM
Docketed Date: 9/10/2026
Subject(s):
Submission Type: Comment
Page(s): 1
• Docket Number: 24-OPT-05
Project Title: Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project TN Number: 272450
Title: Jennifer najera valle Comments - Support of the Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project in Solano County
Description:
Filer: System
Organization: Jennifer najera valle
Role: Public
From: Linda Zeigler
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2026 5:01 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] BESS Facilty
City of Chino City Council:
Please use common sense and deny the BESS Facility in our city at all. We have plenty of dangers to the health and safety in the community already. Don't make another mistake that is going to compromise our peace, health, safety, home values, and small hometown feel.
Thank you;
Linda L. Zeigler -46 year resident
From: B. Bjerke >
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2026 10:04 PM
To: Ulloa, Eunice <[email protected]>; Lucio, Marc <[email protected]>; Flores, Christopher <[email protected]>; Burton, Curtis <[email protected]>; Comstock, Karen <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] BESS Center Construction
Council Members:
Tonight you will make a very serious decision that will greatly impact our city and its residents.
The proposed BESS center, if built, will be a danger to all and heavily impact the local residents.
A large amount of money promised to the city, has been mentioned, by the project owners. It sounds like a bribe to me.
How much can pay for the loss of peoples: quality of life, lowering property values, loss of homes and loss of lives. Again… How much?
The site is directly across the street from two apartment complexes and also the approximate 1800 hundred homes in College Park. If you have done your homework you know of the daily impacts of sound emitted by this. The likelihood of explosion and or fire cannot be totally mitigated.
Hundreds have signed a petition in opposition to this. As a council member you were elected to act in the best interests of your constituents. Please do so.
There is nothing positive about this.
I ask you to look back a few years ago when the residents of Chino Hills woke up to gigantic electric towers in their backyards. They did not just give in but had the moral fortitude to fight for their right to a peaceful and safe environment.
Let us see if you have the same strength and courage.
Brigid Bjerke
September 15, 2026 – City Council Meeting
Item No. 20
Correspondence/Emails received
September 15, 2026 – City Council Meeting
Item No. 22
Correspondence/Emails received
From: Raechael Reyes
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 5:52 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXT EMAIL] Agenda Item 22
Good Afternoon
I live directly across the street in the Birchwood/Greenbrier Community. Having a center median built on WPL is restricting our access to leave our community. I am in walking distance to WPL, and being prohibited from making left turns (to leave my community) with the median being built will cause major problems for the residents. School busses, park visitors, emergency and fire personnel, will also be impacted on entering and exiting our community from accessing WPL.
I am strongly urging the city and developers to remove the median that blocks residents from accessing left hand turns.
Raechael Reyes