Public Statements

February 1, 2025

We received the preliminary soil screening results from the County. These are preliminary test results that are designed to determine areas that may benefit from additional study.   More sampling is needed to understand how the results compare to relevant screening levels. 

A third-party independent expert is conducting ongoing additional testing. We will continue to collaborate and share data with the County and EPA.

January 31, 2025

Vistra recognizes that the evacuation and traffic closures from the fire at our Moss Landing site may have had an impact on some area businesses. We apologize for the hardship this has caused affected businesses and employees.  

Since then, we have heard from and talked personally to many Moss Landing business owners, managers, and employees about how we can help. In that regard, Vistra is establishing a claims program for business disruptions.

The program is run by an experienced third-party claims administrator and covers businesses that are located in the evacuation zone or located at or operating out of the Moss Landing Harbor.

We understand that cash flow is tight for small businesses. We are committed to making the claims process as efficient as possible and getting funds to affected businesses promptly.

Click here for more information.

January 30, 2025

Community assistance is now available for residents within the evacuation area. To learn more, visit: cfmco.org/news/moss-landing-fire-relief-fund/

Like many of our neighbors and friends, Moss Landing is our home, and we’re committed to working closely with our community partners and local officials to determine how we can best help. 

We have chosen to partner with the Community Foundation for Monterey County and its partners to administer an assistance program that will support households who were impacted by the January 16 incident. We’re grateful for the Foundation’s partnership. 

This initial assistance program is limited to households within the evacuation area identified by Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management.  The Community Foundation, along with its partners at United Way Monterey County and the Castro Plaza Family Resource Center, will provide gift cards funded by Vistra to households within the evacuation area. 

The information requested on the form is for Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) data tracking purposes ONLY. The information WILL NOT be shared with representatives from Vistra Corp. or County of Monterey officials.

A separate, application-based program will be established for businesses that have been impacted, and we will soon provide details on our website with further information about qualifications and how to apply. 

January 28, 2025

Surface sampling continues to be conducted and analyzed by CTEH, the third-party consultant, in consultation with the EPA and Monterey County Health Department. We are aware of the news accounts from Monday regarding testing done by San Jose State University but have not received details about their findings or the data. We expect that the health agencies will evaluate those test results, and we will work with them to determine any next steps following their review.

Air monitoring data collected by EPA and CTEH did not detect hazardous substances of concern in the air during or after the event. Air monitoring is ongoing at the site's perimeter and will continue in the near term. 

Vistra will continue to cooperate with the local health agencies to continue our testing protocols and will share additional information with the public as it is available.

January 23, 2025

We have chosen to partner with the Community Foundation for Monterey County and its partners to administer an assistance program that will support households who were impacted by the January 17 incident. We’re grateful for the Foundation’s partnership. 

This initial assistance program is limited to households within the evacuation area identified by Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management.  The Community Foundation, along with its partners at United Way Monterey County and the Castro Plaza Family Resource Center, will provide gift cards funded by Vistra to households within the evacuation area. More information will be provided in the coming days.

A separate, application-based program will be established for businesses that have been impacted, and we will soon provide details on our website with further information about qualifications and how to apply. 

January 22, 2025

Conditions at the site remain stable.  Over the last 24 hours, there has continued to be a limited amount of smoldering at the Moss Landing 300 location, which is consistent with previous conditions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has concluded community air monitoring operations after their testing determined there to be no risk to public health. View the EPA’s news release here. Onsite and roaming community monitoring continues daily by CTEH.

Vistra’s priorities moving forward are safely removing the remaining batteries from the building when conditions permit. The company has retained a structural engineering firm to advise with this work and planning is currently underway. We have begun our investigation and retained multiple outside experts to assist, and we are prepared to cooperate with any local or state investigations as well. Representatives of LG Chem, the manufacturer of the batteries used at Moss Landing 300, are also on location, and we are sharing information.

Crews will continue monitoring the site in coordination with local fire officials, and we will continue to provide updates to the community and local response partners as we progress.

January 21, 2025

We’re continuing to monitor the site and can confirm there are still no active flames, while a limited amount of smoldering is continuing to abate.

Air quality monitoring conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and independent, third-party air quality experts continues to demonstrate that the site and surrounding area are safe and do not pose a risk to the public.  Air quality monitoring is ongoing.

January 19, 2025

Personnel conducted onsite inspections this morning and while some small pockets of smoldering were observed, there was no active flame.  The condition at the site is contained, and the work of the response team has been successful in improving the situation.

Crews will continue to monitor the site in coordination with local fire officials.  Our top priority remains ensuring the safety of the community and first responders.

Air quality monitoring conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and independent, third-party air quality experts continues to demonstrate that the site and surrounding area is safe and does not pose a risk to the public. Air quality monitoring is ongoing and will continue throughout the response.

Vistra strives to operate with transparency and to be a good neighbor in the communities in which we operate. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as response efforts progress.  In support of this, a website has been established to share operational updates and to make additional information available to the public at www.mosslandingresponse.com/.

January 17, 2025

The fire at our Moss Landing Power Plant Site remains contained to one building. All personnel were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported from either the initial incident or the ongoing response efforts; we’re grateful for years of partnership and training with the fire department that allowed for this outcome. Once the fire is extinguished, we will turn to the investigation phase to determine the root cause. 

At 6 p.m. PST Friday, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office lifted all evacuation orders related to the fire.

Vistra, as well as public agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, are actively monitoring air quality. We are working cooperatively to ensure public health and safety, which is our top priority. Ongoing air monitoring has not detected anything hazardous.

Like many of our neighbors and friends, Moss Landing is our home, and we’re committed to working closely with our community partners and local officials to determine how we can best help. We have and will continue to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our neighbors and do right by our community. 

January 16, 2025

There is an ongoing fire at our Moss Landing Power Plant site. Our top priority is the safety of the community and our personnel, and Vistra deeply appreciates the continued assistance of our local emergency responders. 

Earlier this afternoon, Vistra personnel called for assistance from the North Monterey County Fire District after a fire was detected in the Moss 300-MW energy storage facility at the Moss Landing Power Plant site. All site personnel were safely evacuated.     

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation will begin once the fire is extinguished.