The Los Angeles Times recently published an in-depth article on the ongoing cleanup and investigation following the catastrophic fire at the Moss Landing Battery Plant.
The article features Knut Johnson, Partner at Singleton Schreiber, who is representing hundreds of residents in a lawsuit against Vistra, LG Energy Solution, and PG&E. It details the complex and dangerous process of removing nearly 100,000 lithium-ion batteries—over half of which were damaged or destroyed in the January fire that burned for days, released toxic gases, and prompted the evacuation of approximately 1,500 people. Cleanup efforts have been delayed for months due to the high risk of reignition, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized an agreement with Vistra to begin battery removal under federal oversight.
Mr. Johnson emphasized the ongoing health risks posed by the remaining batteries and the need for stronger safety measures. He noted that many residents reported symptoms such as headaches, sore throats, and difficulty breathing following the fire. The lawsuit filed by Singleton Schreiber seeks long-term medical monitoring for affected residents, site remediation, and broader reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. He called the fire a wake-up call for stricter regulations around large-scale battery storage near residential areas.
