Legal Action Against Vistra Following Moss Landing Fire Impacts Local Community

In a significant move, the law firms of Danko Meredith and Fiore Achermann have initiated legal proceedings on behalf of Brian and Angie Roeder along with several other residents from Monterey County. This class action arises from the fire incident that took place at the Vistra Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility on January 16, 2025, resulting in severe health concerns and property damage.

The lawsuit targets Vistra Corp., Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PGE), and others, claiming their lithium-ion battery storage systems released harmful toxins, negatively affecting the surrounding neighborhoods. This incident has raised serious alarms about environmental safety practices at the facility, which relied heavily on lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries known for their susceptibility to thermal runaway.

Impact on Residents and Community

The consequences of the fire have been dire for the Roeder family, who had recently renovated their home in Prunedale, hoping it would be their lifelong residence. Since the devastating event, they have been forced to relocate to short-term housing with no certainty of when they can return. Both Brian and Angie have experienced ongoing health problems; Angie, a U.S. Air Force veteran, suffers from persistent respiratory issues, while Brian, a businessman, faces daily headaches and breathing difficulties as a fallout from the environmental contamination.

Brian has taken a proactive role in community advocacy, co-founding a grassroots organization named