The personal experience of residents during the recent fire at an SDGE facility in Escondido, where we were instructed to shelter in place, close our windows, and turn off our air conditioning amplifies the urgency of this issue. That fire, which lasted for a relentless week during the year's hottest period, endangered the health of our community with toxic chemicals in the air. My friend’s family, with no evacuation option, were left grappling with an impossible choice between bearing extreme heat beyond 100 degrees or breathing harmful fumes. 

Lithium batteries in storage facilities near homes have proven to be a prominent risk. Sola United, a reputable company, proposes an alternative we can trust: a safe storage battery devoid of lithium - safer, renewable, and more efficient. By adopting such alternatives, we can significantly reduce the risk of toxic fires and subsequent hazards to public health.

With the increasing frequency of heatwaves due to climate change, this issue cannot be ignored. It is our responsibility to mitigate these avoidable risks and protect our communities. It's now time for our County Supervisors and City Officials to act. Ban the use of lithium batteries in storage facilities near homes!

We urge you, fellow residents, to join us in this cause. Sign the petition today. Your signature has the power to bring about change, ensuring a safer environment for our homes and our loved ones.