The Port of Long Beach is inviting community members to weigh in on a proposal for a new battery energy storage system (BESS) that would be built on a nearly 3-acre section of the Long Beach Power Plant site.
The project, proposed by Lighthouse Pier S LLC, includes a 70-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) that would occupy roughly 2.9 acres at 2665 Pier S Lane. The facility would increase energy capacity, and is being proposed in response to the California Public Utilities Commission’s mandate to stabilize California’s electric grid as the state increases its reliance on renewable energy.
The first meeting took place on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Port’s Administrative Building (415 W. Ocean Blvd., 1st Floor Multipurpose Room). A virtual session will follow on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m. Community members can join the online meeting via WebEx using access code 2487 711 3303 or by calling 408-418-9388 with the password 1234.
The proposed energy storage site would include about 100 fire-rated metal containers holding lithium-ion batteries, along with supporting infrastructure such as electrical equipment, fiber-optic cabling, cooling and monitoring systems and more. The development would also involve upgrading the adjacent Long Beach Bus Substation, removing three existing buildings, and demolishing parts of old saltwater intake pipes.
Comments collected during the meetings will help shape the environmental impact report for the project. The public is encouraged to review the Notice of Preparation and meeting details at www.polb.com/ceqa.
Written feedback will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29. Comments can be emailed to piersbess@polb.com or mailed to Renee Moilanen, Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., 7th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802.
