Battery Banks Stabilize, but La Verne Evacuation Remains in Effect Thursday Night
+ Events in and around La Verne Sept. 24-Oct. 4
Hello Neighbors!
I am running on caffeine, fumes, and very little sleep. What a week it's been since a lithium-ion battery energy storage system at Metropolitan Water District’s F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant was damaged by a minor explosion followed by a fire on Tuesday. I have been posting regular updates on Instagram and Facebook and adding to a growing FAQ about the incident. I am extremely grateful for the support of Liz Chou of The La Reporter (please check out her reporting on LA). I also want to shout out my new intern, Isabella Huerta, a junior at the University of La Verne. Please help me support this important work with a one-time or recurring donation.
I'm also working on follow-up stories that will explore the long-term impact of this experience on our community. Reply to this email with your questions (after you've read the updated FAQ, please).
City Council is hosting a meeting for residents at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Community Center, 3680 D. St., to discuss the recent battery fire at Metropolitan Water District's F. E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant. I hope to see you there!
Staci
Breaking News Coverage: La Verne Battery Fire
Staci Baird
Staci Baird
Evacuation Keeps Local Businesses Closed, Delays Grocery Outlet Grand Opening
By Liz Chou, The LA Reporter and Staci Baird, La Verne Daily News
When a battery fire at the nearby Metropolitan Water District’s F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant in La Verne broke out on Tuesday, it triggered a mandatory evacuation order that affected cafe owner Bobak Tehranirad. At the time, he thought nothing of it, thinking it would be a momentary disruption.
“We thought maybe [it would be for] just half a day on Tuesday, so we said okay, we can handle that,” he said.
