SALINAS Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau staff reported this week community soil sampling in the area of January’s battery storage fire in Moss Landing showed limited areas where contaminants exceeded health screening levels. The report was part of an update the Monterey County Board of Supervisors received this week on the ongoing cleanup process and environmental review efforts related to the battery storage fire Of 108 samples taken at 27 locations, eight exceeded screening criteria. State toxicologists at the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and the California Department of Public Health reviewed the results. A revised report was approved, though state reviewers recommended additional testing for metal leaching and particulate movement. Phase 2 sampling of sediment, surface water and porewater was completed in September. A laboratory analysis has been delayed because of complex testing for dioxins and furans. Monterey County expects to release those results in January. The findings will be used in a preliminary environmental assessment, which is scheduled for public release in March after state review. Air monitoring remains active at and around the facility. No hydrogen fluoride has been detected since January, but monitoring continues the report said. Since January, six air samples exceeded screening levels for nickel. Monterey County staff said those detections were intermittent and in different locations. Continuous PM2. 5 readings remain available through the Monterey Bay Air Resources District network. Representatives with the Environmental Protection Agency provided details on battery removal and demolition work at the site. The process of removing all the batteries is expected to extend into 2026. The agency reported that 5, 560 batteries had been de-energized and transported off-site, out of an estimated 35, 772 batteries. Removal operations started running 24 hours a day, except Sundays, in early November. Representatives said about four truckloads of de-energized batteries leave the site each week for recycling, along with five to 10 trucks of debris and waste. Demolition and stabilization work inside the Moss Landing 300 building is ongoing to reach the remaining battery modules. EPA representatives said there have been no flareups during removal. With the rainy season underway, the EPA outlined measures to contain and test water that collects near the damaged building. Any water captured on the site is tested for contaminants before its disposed under state requirements. The EPA representatives also said batteries being processed are protected from rain under tents, and they are monitoring the weather to see when they need to pause the operations. Monterey County said it will begin transitioning out of its lead role as state agencies take over review of the upcoming technical reports and risk assessments.
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/22/county-receives-update-on-moss-landing-battery-fire-response/
Monterey County receives update on Moss Landing battery fire response
