San Diego County planning staff are bringing proposed battery energy storage rules to Campo tonight as the county continues public review of a draft ordinance for large-scale battery projects, according to East County Magazine. The presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at the Mountain Empire Community Center.

The draft ordinance would create a specific zoning framework for battery energy storage systems, often called BESS, which store electricity for later use and are increasingly paired with renewable energy projects. County planners released the public review draft in August, with additional virtual meetings scheduled for noon Thursday, Aug. 27, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17.

The proposal would apply to projects with more than 600 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity and sort facilities into three tiers based on size. It also includes a base 100-foot setback from lot lines for structures housing batteries, along with standards for screening, lighting, noise, signage, decommissioning and financial assurance, according to the report.

For East County communities, the issue is closely tied to wildfire safety and evacuation concerns. East County Magazine noted ongoing backcountry opposition to the Starlight Solar project near Boulevard, which includes a large battery storage component, and said Campo, Lake Morena and nearby communities share concerns about fire-prone terrain, limited evacuation routes and emergency response capacity.

The county's public review process is expected to continue through fall before planners refine the ordinance this winter. Public hearings before the County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors are tentatively expected in winter or spring 2027. Residents can review the draft process and submit comments through the county's Battery Energy Storage Systems engagement page.