The California Energy Commission (CEC) will hold its first public informational and environmental scoping meeting regarding the proposed Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Alameda County. The meeting, scheduled for September 18, 2025, will take place both in person at the Tracy Transit Center and online via Zoom. The session aims to inform the public about the project and explain how community members can participate in the CEC’s review process.
Levy Alameda, LLC submitted an application on August 7, 2024, to build a 400-megawatt battery energy storage facility on approximately 102 acres in eastern Alameda County. The BESS would store excess solar or low-cost electricity and discharge up to 3,200 megawatt-hours when needed. Planned facilities include an operations building, substation, transmission line, and interconnection with Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Tesla Substation. The project is expected to be operational by June 2028.
Safety remains a priority for state agencies as they oversee battery storage projects. “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,” according to the CEC.
After initial application materials were found incomplete on September 6, 2024, Levy Alameda submitted updates that were deemed complete by the CEC on August 29, 2025. This started a formal certification process lasting up to 270 days.
During this period, CEC staff will prepare an assessment that includes an environmental impact report. That report will be discussed at a separate public meeting during a subsequent 60-day comment period before any final decision is made.
At the upcoming meeting on September 18—details available at https://bit.ly/Po-Vi—CEC staff will outline their responsibilities in reviewing the application and engaging stakeholders such as government agencies, California Native American tribes, neighboring communities, and interested members of the public. “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.”
The Opt-In Certification program was established under Governor Gavin Newsom’s initiative to speed up clean energy development statewide while supporting fossil fuel retirement efforts. Under this program—which serves as an alternative permitting pathway—the CEC acts as lead agency under state environmental law for qualifying projects. Environmental reviews are required within set timelines after applications are accepted as complete.
“If the CEC approves the project,” states information from agency materials,”the issuance of a certificate…is in lieu of any permits…required by state [or] local…agencies to the extent permitted by federal law.” If certified by this process,”the CEC would monitor construction and operation of the project throughout its lifetime pursuant to established conditions of certification…”
California energy agencies have increased focus on BESS safety through updated codes—including anticipated enhancements to BESS standards—and new protocols from regulators like those adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission earlier this year requiring stricter maintenance procedures for these facilities.
To receive certification from CEC under current rules,”a BESS would be required to meet strict safety and environmental standards.” These may include compliance with leading fire protection codes (such as NFPA 855), coordination with local first responders for incident preparedness,”a dedicated command and control center outside [the] facility…real-time environmental monitoring…deflagration panels…and thermal infrared cameras” for early hazard detection.
For more information about participation or updates on this project visit Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System or see details about the Opt-In Certification Program.
The California Energy Commission serves as California’s main energy policy agency with responsibilities ranging from advancing policy goals to certifying power plants.
