The California Energy Commission (CEC) has scheduled a public meeting to discuss the proposed Soda Mountain Solar Project in San Bernardino County. The meeting will allow the project applicant, Soda Mountain Solar, LLC, to present details about the project and for CEC staff to explain the Opt-In Certification process. The public will also have an opportunity to learn how they can participate in the proceeding and provide comments.
Soda Mountain Solar, LLC submitted its application on August 1, 2024, seeking approval to construct and operate a combined solar photovoltaic (PV) array and battery energy storage system (BESS). The proposed facility is designed to generate up to 300 megawatts of renewable electricity and store up to 1,200 megawatt-hours of energy with a 300 MW battery system. The site would cover approximately 2,670 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management within the Barstow Field Office jurisdiction. Infrastructure plans include operation buildings, stormwater controls, a substation and switchyard connecting to the Marketplace-Adelanto transmission line, and battery storage facilities across an 18-acre area.
After an initial review deemed the application incomplete on September 3, 2024, updated materials were submitted between October 25, 2024, and July 21, 2025. On July 31, 2025, the CEC found the application complete and began a formal certification process that must be completed within 270 days.
The next phase involves a public information and environmental scoping meeting where staff will outline their role in reviewing applications and working with government agencies, Native American tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders. After this session, CEC staff will prepare an assessment including an environmental impact report. This report will be followed by another public meeting and a sixty-day comment period before any decision is made regarding project approval.
“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 in March voted 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 receive certification under this program—part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s agenda for accelerating clean energy projects—the applicant must meet strict safety measures such as compliance with fire codes and National Fire Protection Association standards. Other requirements may include collaboration with local fire departments for incident response readiness; dedicated command centers; real-time air- and water-quality monitoring; deflagration panels; thermal infrared cameras for early fire detection; among others.
Under Opt-In Certification rules created by state legislation supporting faster clean energy development in California (https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/opt-certification-program), environmental review is typically completed within nine months after application completeness is determined. If approved by the CEC after public input processes are concluded—including required consultations with Native American tribes—the certificate generally replaces permits from other agencies unless federal law states otherwise.
The upcoming meeting is scheduled for August 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., both in-person at Holiday Inn Express in Barstow (2700 Lenwood Road) or remotely via Zoom.
More information about project status updates can be found on the Soda Mountain Solar Project application webpage (https://www.energy.ca.gov/power-plants/power-plant-projects/soda-mountain-solar-project).
The CEC serves as California’s primary agency for energy policy planning—advancing state policy goals related to efficiency improvements, renewable development initiatives like this one in San Bernardino County, certifying power plants statewide, investing in innovation projects across sectors such as transportation transformation or emergency preparedness.
