A Notice of Preparation (NOP) has been prepared to notify agencies and interested parties that the City as Lead Agency is preparing a Project EIR pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the proposed 600-megawatt (MW) Morro Bay Battery Energy Storage System Project. 

The release of the NOP starts a 30-day public comment period from June 3, 2022, to July 3, 2022, for the City to solicit public input and gather information from the public regarding the potential environmental impacts of the project that should be evaluated in the EIR. The NOP also includes the Project Description and the date of the Scoping Meeting.  The Scoping Meeting will be held virtually on June 21, 2022, from 4 pm to 530pm. Full details on how to attend the virtual scoping meeting (zoom) and how to submit public comment are available in the NOP at https://www.morrobayca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16703/Morro-Bay-BESS-NOP and also noted below.

The proposed project includes three components (1) Construction and operation of a 600-megawatt (MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), (2) demolition and removal of the existing Morro Bay Power Plant building and stacks, and (3) adoption of a Master Plan that would change the land use designation of the BESS Site from Visitor Serving Commercial to General (Light) Industrial. The project components are described in detail in the Project Description.

A virtual scoping meeting will be held on June 21, 2022 from 4pm to 530pm to allow for any interested persons to supply input on issues to be discussed in the EIR.

Date:Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Time:4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82722747698?pwd=aWZpTzcwTHlRTk9xaTlmWVNWRWFUQT09 Password: 135692  

Telephone Dial-In: Call 1 (408) 638-0968 or 1 (669) 900-6833 or 1 (346) 248-7799; Webinar ID: 827

2274 7698; Password: 135692; Press * 9 to “Raise Hand” for Public Comment

The meeting is an opportunity for City and consultant staffs to gather information from the public regarding the potential environmental impacts of the project that should be evaluated in the EIR. It is not intended to be a hearing on the merits of the project. Therefore, members of the public should limit their comments focused on potential significant changes to the environment that may occur as a direct result of project development. 

Public comments can be submitted to Cindy Jacinth, Senior Planner, City of Morro Bay, either via email to [email protected] or via mail to City of Morro Bay, Community Development Department, 955 Shasta Avenue, Morro Bay CA 93442.

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