Action Needed: Tell LA County What to Study for BESS in Unincorporated Communities
LA County is in the process of updating regulations on where industrial battery energy storage systems (BESS) can be placed in unincorporated communities. And from now until September 17th is the official window when you can direct LA County towards what they should study and evaluate as part of its Renewable Energy Ordinance Update Program Environmental Impact Report (REO-Update Program EIR). According to CEQA law, LA County must address your concerns and study requests as part of this EIR scoping process that ends on September 17th.
PHCPA leaders have already submitted written comments via email and spoken comments during a public virtual meeting. Topics and requests included studying worst-case fire scenarios, evacuation realities, water management, environmental justice, and post-incident accountability.
If these topics echo your concerns, we've created a one-click email template for you to send to LA County.
Your email is an assignment to LA County -- you are the boss. If I heard correctly during the virtual meeting, LA County has received around 500 public comments so far. These updated BESS regulations will affect nearly 1 million unincorporated LA County residents, yet a mere 0.05% of us have voiced an opinion.
But do you know who is speaking the loudest right now? The industrial developers, the equipment manufacturers, the people who want to build BESS in your neighborhood, the people who want less regulations for BESS, the people who want less distance between a BESS and your home. <-- These voices have been deafening at public forums. If you do not speak up now, LA County will have no choice but to listen to those who have spoken for interests that do not prioritize your health, safety, or the environment.
Let's tell LA County that we know what we want. It doesn't matter if we all send the same email template. What's important is that they will notice the number of people who took an action <-- your action is the loudest voice you have in this process.
If you want to support PHCPA in continuing to advocate for community and environmental safety, and empowering people to take actions like the one above, please consider making a direct donation.
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Save the Date: August 29 Panda Express Fundraiser
Don't forget: For the entire day on August 29, Panda Express (Hacienda Heights) will donate 20% of sales to PHCPA when you enter code 3863602 when ordering at PandaExpress.com or in the mobile app. You can also show the fundraiser flyer on your phone when ordering in-person at the Hacienda Heights location only.
Click Here for Fundraising Flyer
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PHCPA is currently engaged in public interest litigation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), challenging the adequacy of the environmental review adopted for the 9.2-acre, 400-megawatt Marici Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project located across the street from Hacienda Heights residents.
Your donation directly supports PHCPA's ability to stay in the fight for the community.
*PHCPA is a California nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.