There have been recent letters submitted stating that if A-24 passes, the city will lose local control of the proposed BESS project to the California Energy Commission. This is incorrect for several reasons. First of all, A-24 gives the citizens of Morro Bay the right to vote on a change in land use and thus the project only if the City Council has previously approved the project. If the City Council rejects the required land use change and the project, there is no vote of the citizens necessary. However, if the City Council approves the change in land use and the project, then and only then would the voters of Morro Bay have a vote to approve or disapprove the project through a ballot measure.
On such an important issue involving the health and safety of Morro Bay’s natural habitat, residents and tourists, the citizens of Morro Bay should be involved and have, if necessary, a final say. I trust the citizens and their good judgement. Remember, it was a previous City Council that signed a Memo of Understanding with the power company that put into motion the BESS project, the world’s largest lithium battery storage facility.
The current power company does have the right at any time to circumvent this process and go directly to the State Energy Commission for approval of the project. However, they would have to file a new environmental impact report (EIR) and start approval process from scratch. In response to current draft of the EIR, there have already been numerous objections to the safety of the project filed by concerned citizens, scientists, and most importantly, the California Coastal Commission. Under AB205, the legislation that established the State Energy Commission, the Coastal Commission has jurisdiction and final approval authority over this BESS project due to its location. Thus, if under A-24, the citizens of Morro Bay soundly reject this project the Coastal Commission will take that into account in their final decision.
In summary, A-24 enhances Local Control to the voting citizens of Morro Bay.
Norm Williams
Morro Bay