Location: California

Through focus groups in three California communities — Orange and Ventura counties, the Central Valley, and the Central Coast — Data for Progress and the Reliable Grid Project examined Californians’ attitudes on the growing battery storage industry in the state. This research identified low existing awareness of battery storage projects among Californians, and high variability in views of battery storage’s potential to address the California grid’s most pressing challenges.

This convergence session is designed to create meaningful connections and share practical tools for leaders in public and planetary health. Join us as we bring together our virtual and regional C&H PLC cohorts into a growing national community of practice.

Views on grid-connected battery energy storage systems (BESS) are positive, but awareness is low: people are at an early stage of learning (and likely thinking) about this emerging technology, and over time opinions could potentially be swayed either way. Results from a national survey and a message test indicate no major opposition to BESS, and support is high after being informed about basic information, though there are some concerns about risks. When asked, people rate grid reliability as the most convincing reason for BESS, followed by its ability to support intermittent renewable energy; BESS’s positive impacts on local economies and lowering utility bills were also convincing. In testing, both high production value videos featuring testimonials from renewable energy workers as well as simpler graphic explainer videos were persuasive.

How a storm of false and misleading claims about extreme weather events spread unchecked on social media putting lives at risk.