LA City Council Passes Hydrogen Hub Motion Amid Environmental Concerns

Community and environmental advocates testified in opposition, citing concerns with hydrogen’s heavy water use and potential use at natural gas power plants.

Published May 17, 2022

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Climate and EnergyClean Water

Community and environmental advocates testified in opposition, citing concerns with hydrogen’s heavy water use and potential use at natural gas power plants.

Community and environmental advocates testified in opposition, citing concerns with hydrogen’s heavy water use and potential use at natural gas power plants.

Los Angeles, CA – Amid the vocal opposition of community and environmental advocates, the L.A. City Council unanimously voted in favor of a motion that will initiate an application process for federal funding from the Department of Energy that would create a “green” hydrogen hub in L.A. 

“L.A. doesn’t need a hydrogen hub to advance our clean energy goals,” said Food & Water Watch Senior L.A. Organizer Jasmin Vargas. “Cheaper, safer, less water intensive options exist right now and we should be looking to those before hydrogen enters the conversation. This process has been rushed, community voices have been left out, and there are many questions remaining. Even green hydrogen produced by electrolysis has the potential to be misused — particularly if it is blended with fossil gas at a power plant and piped into people’s homes. A hydrogen hub has the potential to be dangerous for our communities and disastrous for our drought. Today’s vote was made in haste, and we will continue to urge the L.A. City Councilmembers to heed the voices of their constituents and turn to safer, more sustainable power other than hydrogen for L.A.’s clean energy future.”

Chief among concerns raised by environmental justice leaders and climate groups: 

  • LADWP is considering plans to burn hydrogen at existing natural gas power plants, which can increase harmful NOx emissions sixfold. This is prompting concerns that even a “green” hydrogen hub could exacerbate issues of environmental injustice in communities already overburdened with pollution. 
  • The Hub will also likely require pipelines and storage facilities, creating concerns this highly volatile element can lead to potentially deadly explosions like those just seen in Bradford County, PA. 

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Contact: Jessica Gable, (202) 683-2478, [email protected]

Press Contact: Jessica Gable [email protected]

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