Moments ago, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to stop SoCalGas from using ratepayers to recoup costs for their dangerous and unnecessary Angeles Link Project – the company’s plans to build pipelines to move hydrogen across Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California.

Food & Water Watch Los Angeles Organizing Manager Andrea Vega released the following statement: 

“Today the CPUC prioritized ratepayers over corporate profits and we applaud them for making the right move. Ratepayers should never be on the hook for any hydrogen project of any kind. This decision also underscores what Angelenos have been saying for years: the hydrogen farce needs to stop. We must stop this foray into industry boondoggles that only keep us reliant on fossil fuels and instead invest in truly renewable, clean and sustainable energy. Hydrogen has no place in California’s energy future.”

Hydrogen is too water intensive to be a viable climate solution, produces noxious pollutants at rates even higher than natural gas and ultimately is an industry scheme that will only entrench the fossil fuel industry and perpetuate the harm already being done to communities experiencing the brunt of the effects of climate change and pollution.