The Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 20, 2025, focused on the ongoing recovery efforts at the Moss Landing 300 site, which suffered a significant structure fire and hazardous materials incident in January 2025. The meeting provided updates on debris and battery removal efforts, air and soil sampling, and community health surveys.

Officials emphasized the scale of the cleanup required at the site, noting that it is unprecedented. Approximately 100,000 battery modules, in various states of damage and charge, are being assessed for safe removal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is collaborating with Vistra Corp, the responsible party, to ensure the safe treatment and disposal of these batteries.

Key actions taken include the development of methods to determine the charge state of each battery module, planning for their removal and transportation to appropriate recycling or disposal facilities, and conducting structural assessments of the damaged building. As of now, no battery materials have been removed from the site, but Vistra has successfully removed asbestos-containing materials from the building, adhering to both state and federal regulations.

The EPA clarified that while the site is not classified as a Superfund site, it is operating under emergency response authority to manage the cleanup. Community involvement coordinators have been mobilized to develop a community relations plan, addressing public concerns and ensuring transparency throughout the recovery process.

The meeting underscored the complexity and urgency of the recovery efforts at Moss Landing 300, with officials committed to a strategic and safe approach to restoring the site.