CEC to Hold First Public Meeting on Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System in Alameda County

For Immediate Release: September 11, 2025

SACRAMENTO - The California Energy Commission (CEC) will hold a public meeting on September 18 on the proposed Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System in Alameda County.

The purpose of the public informational and scoping meeting is for the project applicant to explain the project, the CEC to explain the Opt-In Certification process, and for the public to learn about how to participate in the CEC proceeding and share their comments about the project. This will be a hybrid meeting with an in-person location and Zoom access online or by phone. Instructions for how to attend the meeting remotely are provided below.

The project applicant, Levy Alameda, LLC, submitted application materials on August 7, 2024, to the CEC's Opt-In Certification program to construct, operate, and decommission a 400-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS). The project would:

• Charge and store energy when there is excess solar or low-cost electricity on the grid.
• Discharge up to 3,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of stored energy when needed.
• Be located on approximately 102 acres in eastern Alameda County with an expected online date of June 2028.
• Include an operations and maintenance building, a project substation, a 500-kilovolt overhead intertie transmission line, and interconnection facilities within the Pacific Gas and Electric Company-owned and operated Tesla Substation.

The safe development and operation of battery energy storage systems is a top priority for California. The CEC works closely with fire safety experts, local responders, and other state agencies to ensure projects comply with the California Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association standards, and new safety protocols. This project, if approved, would be subject to robust safety requirements including advanced fire suppression systems, continuous monitoring, and emergency response planning.

After the initial application materials were deemed incomplete on September 6, 2024, the project applicant submitted updated materials. The CEC reviewed the updated materials and deemed the application complete on August 29, 2025, starting a 270-day certification process.

As part of the certification process, the CEC will host the upcoming public informational and environmental scoping meeting about the application and process. CEC staff will also prepare a staff assessment, which includes an environmental impact report. That assessment will be published and discussed in a separate public meeting during a 60-day public comment period. Once the environmental review and public comment period are complete, the CEC will decide whether to approve the project.

Public Informational and Environmental Scoping Meeting Details:

• Date: September 18, 2025
• Time: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• In-Person: Tracy Transit Center (meeting room), 50 E. 6th Street, Tracy, CA 95376
• For more information, and to participate by Zoom: https://bit.ly/Po-Vi

During the public informational and environmental scoping meeting, CEC staff will explain their role and responsibility in reviewing the application and engaging with government agencies, California Native American tribes, neighboring communities, interested members of the public, and others. The project applicant will also discuss the plans for the project and related facilities. Additionally, the CEC's Office of the Public Advisor, Energy Equity, and Tribal Affairs will outline how the public can participate in the process. There will be an opportunity for the public to provide comments. For more information:

• Download and read the Determination of Complete Application for the Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System.
• For more project details and to sign up to receive automated email updates on this project, visit the Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System.

About Opt-In Certification

As part of Governor Gavin Newsom's build more, faster agenda, the state created an alternative permitting pathway for certain clean energy projects through the CEC's Opt-In Certification program. This program is designed to accelerate the development of clean energy in California and support the retirement of fossil-fuel-based resources.

Under the Opt-In Certification program, the CEC serves as the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act and will hold public meetings at or near proposed project locations to gather input on the proposed projects. Except for specific circumstances, the environmental review must be completed within 270 days after the application is deemed complete. The CEC will invite consultation with California Native American tribes, conduct public meetings in the local area, and facilitate and consider public comment throughout the process.

If the CEC approves the project, the issuance of a certificate, in most instances, is in lieu of any permits, certificates, or similar documents required by state, local, regional, or federal agencies to the extent permitted by federal law. If certified, the CEC would monitor construction and operation of the project throughout its lifetime pursuant to established conditions of certification, including enforcement of any violations and decommissioning when appropriate.

For more information about the program, visit the Opt-In Certification Program.

About Battery Storage

Safe development and operation of battery storage systems has been and remains a top priority for California energy agencies. The CEC is part of a cross-agency collaborative convened by Governor Newsom to find opportunities to improve safety as technology continues evolving. Key initiatives include an update to the California Fire Code happening this year, expected to include enhanced BESS safety standards. The California Public Utilities Commission voted in March to require new safety protocols for the maintenance and operation of BESS facilities. These and other ongoing efforts are based on the latest studies and consultation with experts to keep California at the forefront of safe and reliable battery storage technology deployment.

To obtain certification, a BESS would be required to meet strict safety and environmental standards. Possible mitigation requirements include:

• Compliance with top-tier safety measures, such as the California Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association standards (NFPA 855).
• Ongoing collaboration with the local fire department so local first responders are fully equipped to handle potential incidents.
• A dedicated command and control center outside the BESS facility for safe incident management.
• Real-time environmental monitoring of air and water quality in the event of an emergency.
• Deflagration panels to safely vent gases and minimize fire hazards.
• Thermal infrared cameras for real-time monitoring and early detection of potential fire events.

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About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.