Moss Landing Vistra Battery Fire Response: Response Timeline

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• Battery Fire Response Timeline

September 2025 Updates

Battery Removal Process Begins  

On September 29, 2025, work began removing batteries from the Moss Landing 300 building. This marks a major milestone in the battery removal process.

• EPA has closely overseen Vistra to ensure battery removal is safe and efficient (pdf). 
• As with all our work, EPA ensures strict health and safety requirements, and best practices are always followed.

Moss Landing Administrative Record available for public comment until October 15, 2025  

• The Administrative Record contains documents that that justify EPA directing response activities at the site. 
• Public comments on the Administrative Record will be accepted from September 15 through October 15, 2025. 
• Please email comments to Hiruni Jayasekera, Community Involvement Coordinator at jayasekera.hiruni@epa.gov.
• The Administrative Record is available online.
• A paper copy of the Administrative Record can be found at:
  Castroville Branch Library
  11160 Speegle St.
  Castroville, CA 95012
  Please call for current hours of operation: (831) 769-8724.

Battery Fire Response Timeline

August 2025

• EPA continues to provide on-site technical assistance and oversight of battery removal process.
• Equipment arrives at the site (such as cranes).
• Preliminary building stabilization work in key areas of the “Moss Landing 300” building (which was burned in the fire) in order for crews to more safely access batteries.
• Perform building stabilization work.
• Start a “surgical” removal of certain portions of the burned building so some batteries can be safely accessed.
• Remove the batteries from the damaged building for on-site processing.
• Start removing (de-energizing) energy from those batteries.

July 17, 2025

• EPA and Vistra reach agreement (pdf) for the removal of lithium-ion batteries. This agreement formally establishes Vistra’s obligations and clarifies the EPA’s expectations for the battery removal process.

March-July, 2025

• Negotiated agreement outlining Vistra’s obligations and clarifying the EPA’s expectations for the battery removal process.
• Developed and performed thorough technical reviews on over 30 detailed plans and procedures in preparation for safe battery removal, partial building demolition, and building stabilization.

March 13, 2025

• Battery delinking complete.

February 22, 2025

• Battery delinking begins.

February 18, 2025

• Flareup inside building occurs, causing smoke in the building. Visible flareup subsided.
• State of California Environmental Protection Agency requests EPA lead the oversight of Vistra’s battery removal work.

January 22, 2025

• EPA issues Notice of Federal Response Action to Vistra.
  • The notice documents why an urgent response to the fire is needed.
  • It also outlines the work that needs to be done to address hazardous substances on the site.
• Vistra confirms it will voluntarily do the response.
• EPA then begins providing technical assistance to Vistra for the battery removal process and reviews Vistra's plans for battery removal.

January 20, 2025

• After smoke subsides, EPA consults with Monterey County and transfers air monitoring stations to Vistra.

January 18, 2025

• Fire goes out.

January 17, 2025

• EPA begins perimeter air monitoring early the morning of Jan. 17.
• EPA sets up nine air monitoring locations at and around the site.
• The monitors look for mineral acid gases (like hydrogen fluoride) and particulates.

January 16, 2025

• Battery fire starts at Vistra's energy storage facility. The facility has about 100,000 battery modules.
• Local agencies respond and request EPA assistance with perimeter air monitoring.