Monterey County provides an update on delinking batteries in Moss Landing Wednesday

MOSS LANDING, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Moss Landing Battery Storage Facility fire is still causing widespread concern. 

Crews have been working to de-link the batteries at the Vistra site, but it’s taking some time. 

Eric Sandusky, from the U.S. EPA says the process is moving along slowly but surely. 

“We’ve now delinked about 60% of the accessible batteries,” Sandusky said. “Which is in the facility where the January 16th fire and February 18th re-ignition occurred.” 

Sandusky said disconnecting these damaged batteries from one another can reduce potential fire and health risk because it lessens the chance of thermal runaway. However, there is still a possibility of another flare-up. 

“Given the damage of the facility and that the remaining batteries are still linked together in racks it is likely that other flare ups will occur,” Sandusky said. “EPA, local agencies and Vistra are prepared to respond if that happens.” 

Sandusky said most of the remaining batteries are in a damaged part of the building. 

That portion of the building is facing demolition — with Vistra still looking for a contractor for the job. But now, Brad Watson from Vistra said the focus is on de-linking the batteries.

“We’re going to be very methodical on how to move through this process because it has not been done at this scale before,” Watson said. “There's not going to be a schedule for a while, but I would broadly think of months and not weeks.” 

The county of Monterey says they have resources available on ready montereycounty.org. The health departments at Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey County are still looking for your input if you were affected by the moss landing Vistra power plant fire. The survey is open until March 14.