Subject: FW: Letter from Wellhead Power Solutions re: Closed Session Item C.3 From: Stacy Miller <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Cc: Luly Lopez <[email protected]>
Date Sent: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:29:38 PM GMT-08:00 Date Received: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:29:48 PM GMT-08:00 Attachments: 3.4.25 Wellhead Letter to Oxnard City Council Final.pdf Good afternoon;
Please see the letter attached and the e-mail below. It appears that this e-mail may have been kicked back.
Can you please confirm receipt?
Thank you
Stacy Miller
Stacy
818 402-5806 – cell
From: Stacy Miller <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM To: Luly Lopez <[email protected]> Cc: Ken Rozell <[email protected]>, Alex Nguyen <[email protected]> Subject: Le er from Wellhead Power Solu ons re: Closed Session Item C.3
Dear Luly,
I am writing to request that you please share the attached letter with the members of the City Council ahead of tonight’s closed-session meeting. The letter addresses the Shoals Energy Storage Project (Closed Session Item C.3) on the agenda.
Thank you for your assistance. Please let me know if you need further details.
Sincerely,
Stacy
Stacy Miller
President & CEO
Stacy Miller Public Affairs, Inc.
818 402-5806 – cell
805 246-1433 – Ventura/Santa Barbara County
213 995-6115 – Los Angeles County
[email protected]
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WELLHEAD POWER SOLUTIONS, LLC 650 BERCUT DRIVE, SUITE C SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95811 (916) 447-5171 ● FAX (916) 447-7602 March 4, 2025 Mayor Luis A. McArthur Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Teran Oxnard City Council Members 300 West 3rd St. Oxnard, CA 93030 Re: Shoals Energy Storage Project (Closed Session Item C.3) Dear Mayor McArthur, Mayor Pro Tem Teran, and Councilmembers: Tonight, your Council will consider whether to initiate litigation against the County of Ventura regarding Wellhead’s Shoals Energy Storage Project (“Shoals Project”). This critically needed Battery Energy Storage Project will improve energy reliability for the Oxnard community, support the transition to greater use of renewable energy, help protect the Oxnard community, and result in significant economic benefits to the area. As West Ventura County continues to experience a decrease in energy from local power plants, the Shoals Project will ensure reliable power is available during times of high electrical demand. This will reduce the risk of outages and improve power reliability for the residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Oxnard. The County Planning Commission approved the Shoals Project last December but did not provide notice of the Commission hearing to the City. While we understand the City’s frustration, Wellhead met with City staff and Oxnard Fire multiple times before the County’s Planning Commission to hear and address the City’s comments on the project. Last week, the Wellhead team met with City Fire, Community Development, City Attorney, and County Fire to discuss the Project. We thought the meeting was productive and are optimistic that future meetings will be, too. In light of that optimism, Wellhead asks your Council to consider entering into a “tolling” agreement with the County and Wellhead that will allow the City to have further discussions with Wellhead while postponing any litigation deadlines. The City would still retain the right to file a lawsuit if it chooses. We have provided more details below regarding Wellhead and the Project to help the City consider our request. About Wellhead Power Solutions Wellhead Power Solutions is an industry leader with nearly 40 years of experience, consistently delivering reliable and innovative energy solutions. With a portfolio of ten power facilities generating over 500 megawatts and five new energy storage projects in California totaling more than 950 megawatts in development, Wellhead demonstrates its commitment to advancing energy infrastructure. The company’s long-term ownership model ensures that every project is designed and operated with safety, efficiency, and sustainability in mind, reinforcing a track record of excellence. Wellhead's unwavering dedication to its partners—including local agencies, consultants, engineers, suppliers, and labor unions—ensures seamless collaboration and successful project execution. By leveraging cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate (LFP) 2 / 3
technology, Wellhead continues to embrace operational excellence, safety, and community engagement, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner in the energy sector. The Battery Storage Project: The Shoals Project will take power from the regional electrical grid during the day and store it for use later in the “peak” afternoon and evening hours. According to the California Energy Commission, renewable energy sources have only “chipped away” at peak-hour demands, “leaving other resources like natural gas power plants to meet the net peak once the sun sets.” Battery storage projects like Shoals are key to addressing peak-hour demands and meeting statewide, regional, and local clean energy and carbon neutrality goals. The Project Site: The Shoals Project would be located on Gonzalez Road (south side), about one-half mile west of Victoria Avenue. That site is ideal because it is located adjacent to existing power lines and on agricultural property away from residences, schools, and other sensitive receptors. County Approval of the Project: The Ventura County Planning Commission unanimously approved the Shoals Project last December. Unfortunately, County staff did not provide notice of the Commission’s hearing to the City of Oxnard. We are aware of the City’s request to the County to re-notice the Planning Commission hearing. We are hopeful that our discussions with the City will moot that request. Project Support: The Shoals Project has received support from a diverse and cross-sector coalition of organizations, including business, labor, agriculture, environmental advocacy, education, public safety, and local community groups. These groups signaled support due to the project's broad appeal and tangible benefits for the Oxnard / Ventura County region. The coalition that has united behind this project includes the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA), CAUSE—Central Coast Alliances United for a Sustainable Economy, CoLAB—Ventura County Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business, CFROG—Climate First Replacing Oil & Gas, YIMBY—Yes In My Backyard, LiUna Local 585, Tri Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, and Ironworkers Local 433. The strong support from these groups—many of whom often hold differing perspectives—underscores the project’s ability to balance economic growth, environmental responsibility, and community well-being. The fact that such diverse organizations have aligned in support of the Shoals Project speaks to its exceptional potential to create local jobs, strengthen energy infrastructure, enhance environmental sustainability, and provide long-term community benefits. This project prioritizes safety, economic opportunity, and responsible development, ensuring the Oxnard / Ventura County region remains forward-thinking and resilient. Thank you for considering our request to enter into a tolling agreement so we can work with the City to address any safety, mitigation, and/or financial concerns it may have and avoid costly litigation. Sincerely, Hal Dittmer President & CEO cc: Alex Nguyen, City Manager Ken Rozell, Chief Assistant City Attorney Luly Lopez, City Clerk 3 / 3