August 15, 2025 Interview with Dr. Michael Hogan (Ca Arts & Sciences Institute) re: Oct. 8 Impacts of Lithium BESS Event; Mr. John Hassar: Invinity non-lithium BESS

Hour One: Dr. Michael Hogan describes the October 8 CASI event to provide an impartial expert panel discussion to educate the public on the impacts of lithium BESS on health,  soils and the integration within the electrical grid. https://casicalifornia.org/ Mr. John Hasar, representing Invinity discusses non-lithium flow battery technology and how it is being implemented in California. https://invinity.com/vanadium-flow-batteries/ Hour Two: Continued discussion of how the California Energy Commission process to review grid-scale BESS project applications works, citing the Compass BESS Project in the San Juan Capistrano area and the 270-day timeline.  Also discussed the Caballero BESS approved Nipomo (San Luis Obispo County), approved by Planning Commission and fire dept. because there was no County BESS Ordinance in place.  Is New Leaf Energy doing this now at the 90 Minto Road project in Watsonville? Finally, a tribute to the hard work of many who tried so hard to save the eleven heritage trees at Lot 4 Farmer Market in Santa Cruz.  The City deforested the area yesterday.   The City Council also "gave WorkBench" what they wanted at the Clocktower Appeal August 12.