𝗧𝗢𝗫𝗜𝗖 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦: EPA Processes Lithium-Ion Batteries at Controversial Will Rogers Beach Toxic Waste Site

On Friday, February 14, 2025, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazmat teams were at the newly established Will Rogers State Beach toxic waste site, processing lithium-ion batteries recovered from vehicles and homes damaged in the devastating Palisades Fire. The EPA’s Lithium Battery Response Task Force has been collecting batteries from burned electric vehicles and residential energy storage systems across the fire zone. These hazardous materials, transported in secure 55-gallon drums, undergo specialized processing to neutralize potential dangers. At the site, hazmat personnel—outfitted in full protective gear, including respirators and gloves—carefully handled the volatile batteries. Some were crushed to eliminate the risk of thermal runaway, while others were submerged in an electrolytic brine solution to safely discharge any remaining energy. This operation is part of a broader hazardous materials cleanup effort in response to the Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, consuming more than 23,000 acres and destroying over 12,000 structures. The fire displaced approximately 150,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley. While significant rainfall eventually helped contain the fire, it also raised concerns about mudslides and debris flows in the affected areas. Despite the EPA’s commitment to a safe cleanup, the decision to establish the waste processing site at Will Rogers State Beach has been met with backlash. Residents and environmental groups have protested the location, citing risks to public health and marine ecosystems. Critics argue that keeping hazardous materials within the fire zone would be a more responsible approach. Councilmember Traci Park has joined the opposition, stating that transporting toxic waste to a coastal site creates unnecessary risks. Environmental advocacy groups, including Heal the Bay, have also raised alarms, stating that pollution control measures at the site appear inadequate. They are calling for the EPA to move operations elsewhere and implement stronger safeguards to prevent contaminants from reaching local waterways. The EPA, however, maintains that the beachside location provides the necessary infrastructure for efficient hazardous waste processing. Officials have assured the public that strict safety protocols, including waterproof liners and air quality monitoring, are in place to prevent pollution. As cleanup efforts continue, discussions between government agencies, local officials, environmental groups, and residents will be crucial in determining the best path forward for both public safety and environmental protection. ''''''''''''''''''''''' 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲-𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇/𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. ------------------------ Fabian Lewkowicz, an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica, is the creator of Santa Monica Closeup. With experience across various news outlets, he captures the city's vibrant life through compelling imagery and storytelling. His work, showcased in museums, galleries, and public spaces, highlights Santa Monica’s landscapes, culture, and diverse community Support Santa Monica Closeup by making a One Time Donation via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz Make a One Time Donation via Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaCloseup Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/smcloseup Join this channel to gain access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrlnKSQlVU42TEn_-PAtWw/join For licensing this video email: [email protected] TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography, SMCU, SM©U