RESOLUTION NO. 2024-9361
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN MARCOS TO OPPOSE THE APPROVAL OF THE
SEGURA BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS)
PROJECT, AS CURRENTLY PROPOSEDS UNTIL SAFETY
STANDARDS, LOCATIONS AND SAFEGUARDS ARE
SUFFICIENTLY CONSIDERED AND IN PLACE TO
PROTECT THE COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a technology designed to store and manage energy for later use that typically uses rechargeable batteries to store energy from various sources, such as the electrical grid, renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, or other power generation methods; and WHEREAS, in an effort to develop alternative energy supplies, there has been an increasing number of proposed and constructed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in the County of San Diego whose technology is fairly new, rapidly evolving and for which there is not a well -documented history of impacts of these projects on local communitiesmust be carefully reviewed considering the recent fire events at the Valley Center, Otay Mesa and Escondido BESS projects; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Marcos does not oppose renewable and alternative sources for energy production or storage, however San Marcos supports close evaluation of current safety standards, location placement and protocols, and updating the same as needed, to ensure the proper oversight of BESS facilities in and adjacent to San Marcos; and
WHEREAS, currently, the County of San Diego is developing standards to guide the review process for new BESS projects and is allowing active applicants for BESS facilities to continue moving through their approval process the City Council concurs with other local agencies in the need for the reconsideration of the Segura Project before local and regional stringent design guidelines, development regulations, location placement restrictions (including avoid ance of sensitive residential areas, ho spitals and high fire zones), and related controls and criteria subject to input by all relevant stakeholders Resolution 2024-9361
including residents, urban planners, legislative bodies, utility regulators, energy storage subject matter experts, and industry representatives; and WHEREAS, health and safety concerns reasonably related to BESS projects is the release of toxic gases, potential for the ignition of fires, explosions and “thermal runaway” events which, once initiated, are extremely difficult to extinguish and may require the deployment of City fire and safety resources and personnel to battle those fires; and WHEREAS, in those cases where the case of the Segura BESS project s areproposed placed outside of but adjacent to the City’s jurisdictional boundaries, the City Council opposes the current location of the project near sensitive community areas; and
WHEREAS, San Marcos will not have the ability to review, consider and vote on the project and therefore will not have a sufficient opportunity to control and address the above-referenced concerns about these types of with the Segura projects or provide oversight of the ongoing operation in the future; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for the consideration of local and region -wide design guidelines, development regulations, location placement restrictions, and related controls and criteria subject to input by all relevant stakeholders including residents, urban planners, legislative bodies, utility regulators, energy storage subject matter experts, and industry representatives.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the City Council of the City of San Marcos does hereby oppose the Segura Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in and as currently proposed and located adjacent to the City of San Marcos until further study and guidelines for safety standards and locations can be developed regionwide.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of San Marcos, California, this 24th day of September 2024, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Resolution 2024-9361
Rebecca D. Jones, Mayor
City of San Marcos
ATTEST:
Phillip Scollick, City Clerk
City of San Marcos