California Energy Commission to Hold First Public Meeting on Prairie Song Reliability Project in Los Angeles County

For Immediate Release: Feb. 17, 2026

En Español

SACRAMENTO — The California Energy Commission (CEC) will hold a public meeting on Feb. 24 on the proposed Prairie Song Reliability Project in the community of Acton in Los Angeles County.  

The meeting provides an opportunity for the project applicant to explain the project, CEC staff to explain the Opt-In Certification process, and the public to learn about how to participate in the CEC proceeding and share their comments about the project. Attendees can join in-person or remotely via Zoom access online or by phone. Remote access instructions are provided below.  

The project applicant, Prairie Song Reliability Project, LLC, has applied to the CEC’s Opt-In Certification program to construct and operate a battery energy storage system (BESS) on privately owned land in the unincorporated community of Acton. The project would: 

• Store excess electricity from the power grid when demand is low and discharge it when demand is high through operation of a long-duration (8-hour) 1,150-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS), with a total energy capacity of approximately 9,200-megawatt hours (MWh). This is enough storage capacity to power 850,000 homes for eight hours. The project would also serve as an additional local and regional capacity resource that would enhance grid reliability, particularly to the Los Angeles Basin local reliability area, and may allow for the deferral or avoidance of regional transmission facilities.
• Construct associated infrastructure and related facilities, including a project substation, inverters, fencing, operations and maintenance buildings, stormwater retention and infiltration basins, and communication systems.
• Connect to the existing Southern California Edison Vincent Substation via either a 1.1-mile or a 1.8-mile generation intertie (gen-tie) line route installed overhead using monopoles and steel lattice towers.   

After the initial application was submitted on July 2, 2025, CEC staff deemed it incomplete on Aug. 1, 2025. The project applicant submitted updated application materials. Following review by CEC staff, the application was deemed complete on Jan. 30, 2026, starting a 270-day certification process.  

The next step is a public informational and environmental scoping meeting about the application and process. After that, a staff assessment, including an environmental impact report, will be published, followed by a second public meeting and 60-day public comment period. A decision by the CEC on whether to approve the project will follow the completion of the environmental review and public comment process. 

Meeting Details: 

• Date: Feb. 24, 2026
• Time: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• In-Person: Acton Agua Dulce Library, 33792 Crown Valley Road, Acton, 93510 

• For more information, and to participate by Zoom.

During the Feb. 24 meeting, CEC staff will explain their role and responsibility in reviewing the application and engaging with government agencies, California Native American tribes, neighboring communities, interested members of the public, and others. The project applicant will also discuss plans for the project and related facilities. Additionally, the CEC’s Office of the Public Advisor, Energy Equity, and Tribal Affairs will outline how the public can participate in the process. There will be an opportunity for the public to provide comments. For more information: 

• Download and read the Determination of Complete Application for the Prairie Song Reliability Project
• For more project details and to sign up to receive automated email updates on this project, visit the Prairie Song Reliability Project application webpage.  

About Opt-In Certification 

As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s build more, faster agenda, the state created an alternative permitting pathway for certain clean energy projects through the CEC’s Opt-In Certification program. This program is designed to accelerate the development of clean energy in California and support the retirement of fossil fuel-based resources. 

Under the Opt-In Certification program, the CEC serves as the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act and will hold public meetings at or near proposed project locations to gather input on the proposed projects. Except for specific circumstances, the environmental review must be completed within 270 days after the application is deemed complete. The CEC will invite consultation with California Native American tribes, conduct public meetings in the local area, and facilitate and consider public comment throughout the process.  

If the CEC approves the project, the issuance of a certificate, in most instances, replaces the need for any permits, certificates, or similar documents required by state, local, regional, or federal agencies to the extent permitted by federal law. If certified, the CEC would monitor construction and operation of the project throughout its lifetime pursuant to established conditions of certification, including enforcement of any violations and decommissioning when appropriate.  

For more information about the program, visit the Opt-In Certification Program webpage. 

About Battery Storage 

Safe development and operation of BESS has been and remains a top priority for California energy agencies. The CEC is part of a cross-agency collaborative convened by Governor Newsom to find opportunities to improve safety as technology continues evolving. Key initiatives include 1) an update to the California Fire Code, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and included enhanced BESS safety standards, 2) new safety protocols for the maintenance and operation of BESS facilities, approved in March 2025 by the California Public Utilities Commission. These and other ongoing efforts are based on the latest studies and consultation with experts to keep California at the forefront of safe and reliable battery storage technology deployment.  

To obtain certification, a BESS would be required to meet strict safety and environmental standards. Possible mitigation requirements include: 

• Compliance with top-tier safety measures, such as the California Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association standards (NFPA 855).
• Ongoing collaboration with the local fire department so local first responders are fully equipped to handle potential incidents.
• A dedicated command and control center outside the BESS facility for safe incident management.
• Real-time environmental monitoring of air and water quality in the event of an emergency.
• Deflagration panels to safely vent gases and minimize fire hazards.
• Thermal infrared cameras for real-time monitoring and early detection of potential fire events. 
   

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About the California Energy Commission  
The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.