Environmental groups question projects to blend hydrogen, natural gas

A coalition of environmental groups is asking the California Public Utilities Commission to dismiss a plan by gas utilities to blend hydrogen into the natural gas lines that help heat our homes and businesses. Opponents say hydrogen is too expensive, risks indoor air pollution and gas leaks, and is not guaranteed to be produced using renewable sources.

Jim Dennison, a staff attorney with the Sierra Club, said in the long term, the state needs to phase out appliances that use natural gas in favor of electric models.

“Ultimately, any kind of partial system that relies on this blending is going to prolong the reliance on the gas system, rather than giving a 100% solution to the problem through electrification,” he contended.

So Cal Gas argues that the hydrogen will reduce the amount of natural gas used, and result in lower carbon emissions and less air pollution. They also cite a study from U.C. Riverside that found that blends of up to 5% hydrogen could be used without significantly increasing risk factors in storage, transmission and utilization. People can make input on the CPUC website.

Dennison noted that So Cal Gas, San Diego Gas & Electric, PG&E and Southwest Gas Corporation are seeking approval to pass $200 million in costs onto ratepayers for the pilot projects.

“This is the utilities’ third try to get an application for hydrogen blending pilots approved. And so far, they keep failing to present applications that address basic questions about how to do this safely, and in a way that effectively engages the communities that are affected,” he continued.

If approved, the projects would be built at U.C. Irvine, U.C. San Diego, Truckee, Lodi, and Orange Cove. The federal government is spending billions to build hydrogen hubs across the U.S., including one in Long Beach, in part to help decarbonize industries such as shipping.

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