Contact: Jessica Gable (352) 514-2927 or jessica.gable@sierraclub.org
SACRAMENTO, CA – In a stunning turn for the state claiming to lead the country when it comes to renewable energy advances, California’s Public Utilities Commission yesterday authorized SoCalGas to study transporting hydrogen derived from carbon-emitting sources via its Angeles Link project. SoCalGas had proposed to study transport of “green” hydrogen - hydrogen produced exclusively from renewable energy and water. The PUC, however, adopted a more lax standard, parroting the federal term “clean” hydrogen, which allows for hydrogen produced with a carbon intensity up to four kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. This definition would permit hydrogen produced by breaking down methane from biomass and biomethane through industrial processes that emit health-harming pollution such as carbon monoxide, smog precursors, and fine particles.
The PUC’s ruling comes despite opposition from the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) and Sierra Club (represented by Earthjustice), which advocated for a definition of renewable hydrogen that specified the fuel must be produced by electrolysis powered solely by 100 percent non-combustion renewable sources.
“Environmental justice communities are facing both the current extreme impacts of air pollution and climate change and the prospect of massive new infrastructure to make and move hydrogen using energy that increases air pollution and climate change,” said Shana Lazerow, Legal Director at Communities for a Better Environment who represents CEJA in the Angeles Link proceeding. “SoCalGas proposed to transport green hydrogen, which we know must mean hydrogen made from water and noncombustion renewable energy like water and wind, that do not harm California’s low-income communities of color.”
“The Public Utilities Commission definition of ‘clean renewable hydrogen’ in this case is self-contradictory,” said Sierra Club Environmental Law Program senior attorney Katherine Ramsey. “By allowing for the use of hydrogen produced by higher carbon intensity means, the PUC is opening the door to hydrogen production derived from factory farm gas. The PUC went further than any party was asking them to by adopting a weak standard for renewable hydrogen, and we ask state regulators to do better for ratepayers and communities across the state.”
“SoCalGas claims it wants to build a pipeline to exclusively deliver climate-friendly hydrogen produced by splitting water with renewable electricity. But the Public Utilities Commission is allowing SoCalGas to use hydrogen from dirty production processes instead — something that should gravely concern Californians worried about our climate future,” said Earthjustice senior attorney Sara Gersen.
Sierra Club and CEJA’s joint public comments went on to critique the PUC’s community engagement requirements of SoCalGas as irresponsibly lax given the potential for extreme community health and safety impacts. Burning hydrogen in a power plant releases nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions — a key ingredient in smog — and poses significant health risks, while hydrogen leakage can contribute to climate change and threaten the safety of nearby communities.
Read the full public comments HERE.
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.