Is the future of Puente Hills Mall in batteries and data?

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. (KABC) -- The Puente Hills Mall, once immortalized as a filming location in the Hollywood classic "Back to the Future" and now mostly-shuttered, may soon become home to battery energy storage facilities and data centers, sparking environmental and economic concerns from nearby communities.

"I don't want noise pollution. I don't want higher water bills. I don't want higher energy bills," one person told the City of Industry councilmembers during public comment Thursday morning.

The council voted unanimously to change zoning laws to allow battery energy storage systems at sites like the former mall.

At the packed City of Industry council meeting, residents from neighboring cities voiced concerns about noise, water use and rising utility costs tied to the proposed redevelopment. Many of them were upset that they have little recourse since the City of Industry council is elected by fewer than 300 residents.

Environmental activists argue that battery energy storage facilities pose safety risks.

"There's been a fire a month since 2021," said Samuel Brown, an environmental advocate. "They're extremely dangerous. Essentially, firefighters just let it burn, and when they burn it's extremely toxic to surrounding communities."

Brown and others also warned that the zoning change could accelerate the construction of data centers, which require significant electricity and water to operate.

"My concern is water access cost being passed on to my neighbors," said Raphael Plunkett of Diamond Bar. "I've heard of sound quality issues, air quality issues ... there's so many things it seems to be overwhelming."

City officials declined on-camera interviews but acknowledged plans are in theory works for data centers at the Puente Hills Mall property and other locations.

But for now, they say the city's primary focus is battery energy storage.