When the world’s largest battery power plant caught fire, toxic metals rained down – wetlands captured the fallout

By: Ivano W. Aiello, San José State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 1, 2025

Words: 1,174

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Ivano W. Aiello, San José State University

When fire broke out at the world’s largest battery energy storage facility in January 2025, its thick smoke blanketed surrounding wetlands, farms and nearby communities on the central California coast.

Highways closed, residents evacuated and firefighters could do little but watch as debris and ash rained down. People living in the area reported headaches and respiratory problems, and some pets and livestock fell ill.

Two …

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