EPA Air Monitoring Results Near Moss Landing Vistra Battery Fire Not Exceeding Health Standards
Emergency Response
MONTEREY— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not detected any risk to public health based on air monitoring data from stations near the Vistra Energy Battery Power Plant in Monterey Bay, California. At the request of Monterey County, the EPA deployed nine air monitoring stations for particulate matter and hydrogen flouride, which are pollutants of concern from a battery fire. As part of the multi-agency emergency response, EPA installed the first seven monitors shortly after the fire started on January 16 and later deployed two more. Two monitoring stations are located at the facility and four are located just outside the facility, including one at Moss Landing, three are in communities due east of the fire, to the south near Castroville, and to the north in the vicinity of Moss Landing Middle School. Monitoring stations have been located to account for any changes in wind direction and potential drift to nearby communities. Vistra Energy has also hired a contractor to collect stationary and roving air quality data in surrounding communities.
Both EPA and Vistra are providing air monitoring data to Cal Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, North Monterey County Fire, and Monterey County Environmental Health. EPA will continue to monitor and share air quality data multiple times a day during the emergency response.
Data will be made available by Monterey County at:
www.countyofmonterey.gov
www.readymontereycounty.org
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