Technical experts to attend battery storage workshops
Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment has identified additional expert testimony to be included in upcoming workshops focusing on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technologies and safety issues.
On Wednesday, July 30, the Commission will welcome Scott Murtishaw, executive director of the California Energy Storage Alliance, who will examine the future and function of current and emerging battery technology innovations.
Mike Nichols, an energy storage specialist and fire consultant with Hiller Companies, will follow with a presentation on safety considerations, including fire prevention, suppression strategies and emergency response planning.
“With the second of three workshops on Battery Energy Storage Systems, the Commission on the Environment is continuing its community outreach and education on this very important topic,” Commission Chair Kris Damhorst said. “We are very lucky to have industry experts donate their time to help our community understand and answer some of the most important questions regarding this technology.”
The workshop is scheduled for July 30 from 5-8pm in the Board Chambers of the Santa Cruz County Governmental Center, 701 Ocean St., 5th Floor, in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz community members, environmental stakeholders and energy professionals are encouraged to attend. Remote participation available at santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov.com/j/1610056959.
BESS facilities are a critical component of California’s shift away from fossil fuels with the potential to enhance grid stability and help utilities meet peak demand while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Some community members have also raised concerns about safety, emergency response and long-term environmental impacts.
The final Aug. 20 workshop will address questions and issues that have emerged from the June 25 and July 30 sessions. The featured expert will be Matt Paiss, a nationally recognized BESS expert with a focus on safety standards, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance for utility-scale and distributed energy projects.
While technical in nature, the sessions are intended to be accessible to the general public. The workshops will not address land use planning, zoning decisions or specific project proposals. Sessions will be posted at youtube.com/@countyofsantacruzca.
AARP Smart Driver classes available
Smart Driver classes are designed to help maturing drivers maintain safe driving skills and keep their licenses longer.
California insurance companies are required by law to give a discount for three years to seniors who complete this class. The regular eight-hour class is offered in two four-hour sessions; the refresher class is offered in one 4.5-hour class.
The class fee is $25 per person, $20 for AARP members, and free for those who have their Medicare Supplement through AARP’s United Health. Registration is recommended as drop-ins may find the class is full or has been cancelled for lack of enrollment.
Classes are offered in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. To register or get more information, call Fred at 831-247-3097.
Sempervirens Fund welcomes new member to board
Sempervirens Fund, California’s first land trust, has welcomed Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill to its board of directors.
Gill is an Operating Partner at SVQ, a Silicon Valley-based angel investing syndicate, and brings decades of experience in nonprofit development and international affairs. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Syracuse University, her undergraduate alma mater, and holds a Master of Science in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
Over the course of her career, she has worked with a range of organizations, including The Asia Society and Museum, American India Foundation and the San Jose Museum of Art. Gill also serves on the board of the India Community Center in Silicon Valley. A passionate advocate for arts, culture and community, she is an avid hiker and lifelong lover of the outdoors.
“I’m thrilled to join Sempervirens Fund and contribute to its enduring mission of protecting the redwood forests—one of California’s most iconic and vital landscapes—for generations to come,” Gill said.
Sempervirens Fund is California’s first land trust and the only organization dedicated exclusively to protecting the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Founded in 1900 by a group of concerned citizens, the organization is celebrating 125 years of redwoods conservation in 2025. Its mission is to ensure coast redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains thrive for generations to come. The organization also encourages public connection to and stewardship of California’s natural wonders.
“We’re delighted to welcome Raj-Ann to our board,” said Sara Barth, executive director of Sempervirens Fund. “Her global perspective, commitment to public service and deep roots in the Bay Area will help advance our vision for resilient redwood forests and thriving communities.”
