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 is scheduled for September 18, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Tracy Transit Center, with remote participation available via Zoom (https://bit.ly/Po-Vi).
Levy Alameda, LLC submitted an application on August 7, 2024, to build a 400-megawatt battery energy storage facility. The project aims to store excess solar or low-cost electricity and discharge up to 3,200 megawatt-hours when needed. The facility would be located on approximately 102 acres in eastern Alameda County and is expected to be operational by June 2028. It would include an operations building, substation, a 500-kilovolt overhead transmission line, and interconnection facilities within Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Tesla Substation.
The CEC initially found the application incomplete on September 6, 2024. Updated materials were later submitted and deemed complete on August 29, 2025. This initiated a formal certification process that includes environmental review and public input.
Safety is a key concern for such projects. 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.”
During the upcoming meeting, CEC staff will outline their responsibilities in reviewing the application while engaging with government agencies, Native American tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders. There will also be opportunities for public comment.
The Opt-In Certification program was created as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s initiative to speed up clean energy development in California by providing an alternative permitting pathway for certain projects. Under this program (https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/opt-certification-program), the CEC acts as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Environmental reviews must generally be completed within 270 days after an application is deemed complete.
If approved by the CEC board following public input and environmental review—including a staff assessment report discussed during a separate public comment period—the project could proceed without needing most additional permits from other agencies.
Battery storage system safety remains under active review statewide. The state has recently updated its fire code standards related to BESS technology and introduced new maintenance protocols through action by the California Public Utilities Commission in March. These steps are designed to address evolving technology risks based on expert consultation.
For more information about the Potentia-Viridi Battery Energy Storage System project or updates on meetings and documentation—including how to participate—visit https://www.energy.ca.gov/potentia-viridi-battery-energy-storage-system.
The CEC describes itself as “the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency,” responsible for advancing state energy policy; encouraging efficiency; certifying power plants; investing in innovation; developing renewables; transforming transportation; and preparing for emergencies.
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