Battery energy storage facilities.

Assembly Member DeMaio's battery storage facility legislation establishes a temporary moratorium on large-scale battery storage construction while requiring new safety standards to address fire hazards. The measure halts public agency approvals for facilities capable of storing 200 megawatthours or more of electricity using battery technology until January 1, 2028.

The bill directs the State Fire Marshal to develop guidelines and minimum standards for battery storage facility construction by January 2028, focusing on fire prevention and community protection measures. After the moratorium ends, public agencies must ensure new facilities meet these baseline requirements, though they retain authority to impose more stringent standards. The legislation also removes battery-based storage systems from the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission's current certification process, which allows certain energy facilities to bypass local permits.

Local agencies gain expanded oversight responsibilities for battery storage facilities but must fund implementation through their existing authority to levy service charges and fees rather than receiving state reimbursement. The measure maintains their ability to set stricter construction requirements beyond the state guidelines while establishing consistent baseline safety standards across jurisdictions.