The California Energy Commission (CEC) will hold its first public informational and environmental scoping meeting on November 6 regarding the proposed Corby Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Solano County. The meeting, which will take place both in person at the Ulatis Community Center in Vacaville and online via Zoom, aims to provide information about the project and explain how the public can participate in the certification process.
North Bay Interconnect, LLC, and Corby Energy Storage, LLC submitted their application for the 300-megawatt battery storage facility to the CEC’s Opt-In Certification program on November 4, 2024. The facility would be located on approximately 40 acres southwest of Kilkenny and Byrnes Roads. If approved, it would charge and store energy during periods of excess solar or low-cost electricity on the grid and discharge up to 1,200 megawatt-hours when needed. The site plan includes a substation, inverters, fencing, sound barriers, roads, an optional groundwater well and water tank, stormwater retention basins, storage containers, and a supervisory control system.
According to the CEC: “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.”
After initial application materials were deemed incomplete in December 2024 by the CEC staff review process—which ensures applications meet all necessary requirements—the applicants submitted updated documents that were accepted as complete on October 17. This acceptance triggered a formal review period of up to 270 days for certification.
During this period: “As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s build more, faster agenda,” an alternative permitting pathway known as Opt-In Certification was established to speed up clean energy projects like this one across California. Under this program—intended to accelerate renewable infrastructure while maintaining environmental oversight—the CEC leads environmental review under CEQA rules within strict timelines; holds meetings near proposed sites; consults with local communities including Native American tribes; invites public comment; and monitors compliance throughout construction through decommissioning.
The upcoming meeting will include presentations from both project representatives—who will outline technical details—and from CEC staff who will describe their responsibilities in reviewing applications as well as opportunities for community input during each phase of consideration.
A staff assessment including an environmental impact report will be prepared by CEC personnel after this session. That document will then undergo its own public comment period before any final decision is made about whether or not to approve construction.
Battery energy storage facilities are subject to stringent safety standards developed through collaboration among multiple state agencies such as updates underway now for the California Fire Code expected later this year—and new operational protocols recently adopted by utility regulators—to address evolving technology risks.
If certified by the commission: “If certified…the issuance of a certificate…is in lieu of any permits…required by state [or] local…agencies.” The commission would continue oversight through enforcement mechanisms during operation until eventual decommissioning.
For further information about participation options or regulatory background—including links to detailed documentation—interested parties can visit both the Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project webpage or learn more about statewide procedures at Opt-In Certification Program webpage.
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