Will Morro Bay’s measure to block battery storage plant pass? See latest results
Morro Bay’s hotly contested Measure A-24 was poised to pass on Tuesday night, according to the final ballot count report of the evening.
If passed, the ballot measure would freeze the land use on the retired Morro Bay Power Plant property in an attempt to block the battery plant proposed for the site.
The effort may not impact the battery plant, however, as the corporation leading the project paused its application with the city last week.
Instead, the company plans to apply to the California Energy Commission and Coastal Commission for approval.
Neither state agency is required to follow the city’s land use rules to approve development permits for the battery plant.
According to the final Election Night ballot count report, 59.2% of voters cast their ballot in support of the measure, while 40.8% were opposed.
The grassroots committee Citizens for Estero Bay Preservation petitioned for the measure to be on the ballot. Group member Barry Branin said he felt confident that the measure would pass.
“We think that this is probably a good signal to send to the state and the Coastal Commission that the people of Morro Bay think it’s an inappropriate place to put a large battery system,” Branin said.
He said the committee was pleased by the early lead the ballot measure took on Tuesday night.
“I’m in the middle of a lot of happy people,” he said.
Meanwhile, all of the candidates for city office were running unopposed, meaning they were guaranteed their spots. Those included Mayor Carla Wixom, who won 99.6% of the votes counted by 12:20 a.m., and businessman Jeff Eckles and sales associate Bill Luffee, who were running for two open seats on the Morro Bay City Council.
According to the fourth ballot count report, Eckles had 57.9% of the vote while Luffee took 41.9%.
The fourth ballot drop included 3,892 mail-in ballots received up to the weekend before Election Day and 273 ballots cast in person.
This story will be updated as more ballot counts are released. Check back to see the latest numbers.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:47 PM.
