Sander Kushen, sander.kushen@sierraclub.org
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) released its initial plan Thursday for converting the Scattergood Generating Station into a facility capable of burning a combined blend of hydrogen and methane gas for power. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) describes “significant and unavoidable impacts” regarding air quality and pollutants, raising red flags for Sierra Club clean energy advocates.
More facts about the proposed Scattergood project:
- Plans to convert 2 gas units to be able to utilize a fuel blend of methane gas and at least 30% hydrogen.
- Would cost an estimated $800 million and is planned to be completed by the end of 2029.
- The Draft EIR lists several alternatives to the project, including a grid-scale battery energy storage system with significantly fewer negative impacts to air quality.
Burning hydrogen is known to produce air pollution by emitting nitrogen oxides—a key ingredient in smog—potentially exacerbating respiratory and heart problems for nearby residents. The Scattergood region already exceeds both national and statewide limits for ozone pollution.
In response, Julia Dowell, Senior Organizer with the Sierra Club, issued the following statement:
“This project, and hydrogen combustion more generally, is out of step with Los Angeles’s climate goals. The Draft Environmental Impact Report skirts around important questions involving this project’s risks and prematurely dismisses alternatives that could offer far more benefits to Angelinos. It does this all while prolonging the need for polluting fossil fuel infrastructure and costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
“We urge LADWP to reconsider this project and to instead invest in proven, non-combustion technology. We believe that project alternatives, like a Battery Energy Storage System, can offer safer and more reliable energy while avoiding the health and safety pitfalls of hydrogen combustion. Meeting LA’s climate goals, while protecting communities, is critical.”
About the Sierra Club
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.