News Media

9/3/26 - The Pajaronian: New company takes over Minto Road BESS project

7/1/26 - Lookout Santa Cruz: Supervisors shelve battery storage ordinance after Watsonville project moves to state

5/8/26 - Lookout Santa Cruz: Panetta to introduce new legislation Friday aimed at ensuring battery storage systems are safer

5/4/26 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Developer of Watsonville battery storage project pivots to state route for permit approval

4/9/26 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Battery storage developer exploring state route for Watsonville project amid deadline pressures

4/1/26 - Lookout Santa Cruz: Battery storage developer officially exploring path to state approval for Watsonville facility, a move that could bypass local laws

1/7/26 - Lookout Santa Cruz: Latest version of county’s proposed battery storage rules includes water, soil monitoring, insurance bonds for developers

11/21/25 - Santa Cruz Local: Supervisors draft battery storage rules in bid for local control

11/19/25 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Santa Cruz County supervisors delay battery ordinance review

​11/17/25 - Lookout Santa Cruz: Battery storage developer backs Santa Cruz County’s proposed new rules ahead of Tuesday vote

​11/16/25 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Guest Commentary -Bruce McPherson: I support a battery energy storage ordinance that addresses climate change and ensures local safety

11/14/25 - Pajaronian: Op-Ed - Felipe Hernandez: Santa Cruz County’s open approach to battery storage puts safety and community first

11/10/25 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Santa Cruz County releases draft battery energy storage ordinance

10/20/25 - Canary Media: California has a new law to prevent big grid battery fires

10/17/25 - Lookout Santa Cruz: Developer New Leaf assures Watsonville officials its battery storage project would meet safety standards

10/13/25 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Gov. Newsom signs Sen. Laird's battery storage safety bill​

8/20/25 - Lookout Santa Cruz: Do battery energy storage systems belong in our communities?

8/16/25 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Tracey Weiss, Our Ocean Backyard | Battery storage, safety and our climate future

7/31/25 - Santa Cruz Local: Battery storage debate continues at Santa Cruz meetings​

6/26/25 - Lookout Santa Cruz, In wake of Moss Landing fire, experts defend battery technology in Santa Cruz County