California Plans to Blend Hydrogen with Gas to Reduce Pollution, But Critics Warn of Potential Risks

Alma Figueroa is deeply concerned after learning that her gas provider intends to test a controversial method aimed at combating global warming: blending hydrogen with natural gas to fuel her stove and other household appliances. At 60 years old, and as a resident of Orange Cove in California’s Central Valley, Figueroa, who suffers from asthma and has recently been diagnosed with recurrent lung cancer, fears the potential health risks associated with this experiment.

“I don’t want to be anyone’s experiment,” she stated, reflecting the anxiety felt by many in her community.

The Southern California Gas Co. plans to blend hydrogen into the town’s gas infrastructure, following directives from the state agency that regulates utilities. Proponents argue that this initiative is crucial for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while integrating cleaner energy into existing systems. However, critics warn of unnecessary risks, particularly in Orange Cove, where predominantly Latino and low-income residents feel that these processes are occurring without adequate transparency or community input. Similar projects in states like Colorado and Oregon have also raised alarms.

Interest in hydrogen technology surged during the Biden administration, but the previous administration’s cancellation of billions in funding for clean energy projects, including a $1.2 billion hydrogen hub in California, has hindered progress.

The Orange Cove project is one of five proposed in California to assess how gas pipelines and appliances can handle varying hydrogen concentrations. Notably, Hawaii has been blending hydrogen for decades.

What Is Hydrogen Blending?

Natural gas primarily consists of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that exacerbates extreme weather conditions, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities. Advocates view green hydrogen as a viable solution for reducing emissions. This hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources like solar or wind, powering an electrolyzer that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen—a carbon-free gas that can generate electricity and complement intermittent renewable energy sources. California Governor Gavin Newsom has emphasized its importance, calling it “an essential aspect of how we’ll power our future and cut pollution.”

The proposed 18-month project in Orange Cove aims to utilize a solar farm to power the blending technology, directing a mixture of up to 5% hydrogen to local businesses and the town’s approximately 10,000 residents. The estimated cost of $64.3 million would be funded by ratepayer money.

A Minneapolis utility company has estimated that a 5% blend of green hydrogen could reduce carbon emissions by about 1,200 tons annually, equivalent to removing 254 gas-powered cars from the road.

Janice Lin of the Green Hydrogen Coalition emphasizes the importance of testing hydrogen blending. With a vast network of gas pipelines—approximately 3 million miles in the U.S.—this method could facilitate the movement of clean hydrogen while decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. “The way to move us away and really clean our air and minimize our reliance on fossil fuels is by having a viable alternative,” she stated.

However, experts like Alejandra Hormaza from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, caution that while up to 20% hydrogen by volume is generally considered safe, more experimental work is needed to fully understand the impacts of hydrogen on existing natural gas infrastructure.

How Did The Project Proposal Come About?

Initially, SoCalGas proposed testing hydrogen blending at the University of California, Irvine, in a wealthier area. However, after facing protests, the company revised its proposal. Orange Cove leaders expressed interest, leading the gas company to identify the town as an ideal candidate due to its diverse pipeline materials and controlled gas feed.

City leaders voted unanimously in favor of the project, although they did not respond to multiple requests for comment. During an August public hearing, Mayor Diana Guerra Silva highlighted the potential for workforce opportunities and increased business from visitors.

Resident Angelica Martinez expressed optimism, stating that the town could become a “pioneer” in hydrogen blending, deserving national recognition for its innovative approach.

Orange Cove, primarily a citrus farming community with a significant population of Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants, faces high pollution levels and the highest asthma rates in Fresno County. With 39% of residents living in poverty, Figueroa noted that the community has historically been disengaged from city politics, although they have initiated a petition against the project and voiced concerns at public meetings. “I think the only reason they are wanting Orange Cove is because they don’t think there’s going to be pushback,” she remarked.

What Are Residents Concerned About?

Research indicates that burning hydrogen-blended gas in older appliances not designed for it can increase nitrogen oxide emissions, pollutants that exacerbate asthma and other respiratory issues. Additionally, hydrogen can deteriorate certain materials and is more prone to leaks, raising the risk of explosions due to its flammability.

Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiologist at Loma Linda University, warned that homes with older appliances are particularly vulnerable. In older infrastructure, a 5% hydrogen mix can increase nitrogen oxide emissions by an average of 8%. Residents cannot opt out unless they replace their gas appliances with electric ones, which many low-income residents may not afford. Sinclair advocates for more health risk assessments before proceeding with hydrogen blending.

Hormaza, who has researched hydrogen leakage for a decade, echoed concerns about insufficient research on whether hydrogen could increase leaks. There are also worries about hydrogen’s potential to contribute to global warming through interactions with other gases.

Environmental groups argue that hydrogen should be reserved for high-energy industries like aviation and steel-making, which are difficult to electrify. Others contend that electrifying appliances is a more efficient method for reducing emissions.

“To me, it’s just an absurd project. It’s (a) boondoggle” that exposes residents to unnecessary risks, stated Michael Claiborne, directing attorney with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, an advocacy group representing residents.

If approved, SoCalGas has promised to implement safety measures throughout the project, including leak surveys, detection technology, backflow prevention, and emergency response plans.

Orange Cove resident Francisco Gonzalez, who has friends and family with respiratory issues, shares Figueroa’s concerns about health risks. He emphasizes that the community is not opposed to change or clean energy but insists on being included in the conversation.

Associated Press writer Jennifer McDermott contributed to this report from Providence, Rhode Island.

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Topics
California
Pollution

Alma Figueroa is deeply concerned after learning that her gas provider intends to test a controversial method aimed at combating global warming: blending hydrogen with natural gas to fuel her stove and other household appliances. At 60 years old, and as a resident of Orange Cove in California’s Central Valley, Figueroa, who suffers from asthma and has recently been diagnosed with recurrent lung cancer, fears the potential health risks associated with this experiment.

“I don’t want to be anyone’s experiment,” she stated, reflecting the anxiety felt by many in her community.

The Southern California Gas Co. plans to blend hydrogen into the town’s gas infrastructure, following directives from the state agency that regulates utilities. Proponents argue that this initiative is crucial for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while integrating cleaner energy into existing systems. However, critics warn of unnecessary risks, particularly in Orange Cove, where predominantly Latino and low-income residents feel that these processes are occurring without adequate transparency or community input. Similar projects in states like Colorado and Oregon have also raised alarms.

Interest in hydrogen technology surged during the Biden administration, but the previous administration’s cancellation of billions in funding for clean energy projects, including a $1.2 billion hydrogen hub in California, has hindered progress.

The Orange Cove project is one of five proposed in California to assess how gas pipelines and appliances can handle varying hydrogen concentrations. Notably, Hawaii has been blending hydrogen for decades.

What Is Hydrogen Blending?

Natural gas primarily consists of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that exacerbates extreme weather conditions, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities. Advocates view green hydrogen as a viable solution for reducing emissions. This hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources like solar or wind, powering an electrolyzer that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen—a carbon-free gas that can generate electricity and complement intermittent renewable energy sources. California Governor Gavin Newsom has emphasized its importance, calling it “an essential aspect of how we’ll power our future and cut pollution.”

The proposed 18-month project in Orange Cove aims to utilize a solar farm to power the blending technology, directing a mixture of up to 5% hydrogen to local businesses and the town’s approximately 10,000 residents. The estimated cost of $64.3 million would be funded by ratepayer money.

A Minneapolis utility company has estimated that a 5% blend of green hydrogen could reduce carbon emissions by about 1,200 tons annually, equivalent to removing 254 gas-powered cars from the road.

Janice Lin of the Green Hydrogen Coalition emphasizes the importance of testing hydrogen blending. With a vast network of gas pipelines—approximately 3 million miles in the U.S.—this method could facilitate the movement of clean hydrogen while decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. “The way to move us away and really clean our air and minimize our reliance on fossil fuels is by having a viable alternative,” she stated.

However, experts like Alejandra Hormaza from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, caution that while up to 20% hydrogen by volume is generally considered safe, more experimental work is needed to fully understand the impacts of hydrogen on existing natural gas infrastructure.

How Did The Project Proposal Come About?

Initially, SoCalGas proposed testing hydrogen blending at the University of California, Irvine, in a wealthier area. However, after facing protests, the company revised its proposal. Orange Cove leaders expressed interest, leading the gas company to identify the town as an ideal candidate due to its diverse pipeline materials and controlled gas feed.

City leaders voted unanimously in favor of the project, although they did not respond to multiple requests for comment. During an August public hearing, Mayor Diana Guerra Silva highlighted the potential for workforce opportunities and increased business from visitors.

Resident Angelica Martinez expressed optimism, stating that the town could become a “pioneer” in hydrogen blending, deserving national recognition for its innovative approach.

Orange Cove, primarily a citrus farming community with a significant population of Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants, faces high pollution levels and the highest asthma rates in Fresno County. With 39% of residents living in poverty, Figueroa noted that the community has historically been disengaged from city politics, although they have initiated a petition against the project and voiced concerns at public meetings. “I think the only reason they are wanting Orange Cove is because they don’t think there’s going to be pushback,” she remarked.

What Are Residents Concerned About?

Research indicates that burning hydrogen-blended gas in older appliances not designed for it can increase nitrogen oxide emissions, pollutants that exacerbate asthma and other respiratory issues. Additionally, hydrogen can deteriorate certain materials and is more prone to leaks, raising the risk of explosions due to its flammability.

Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiologist at Loma Linda University, warned that homes with older appliances are particularly vulnerable. In older infrastructure, a 5% hydrogen mix can increase nitrogen oxide emissions by an average of 8%. Residents cannot opt out unless they replace their gas appliances with electric ones, which many low-income residents may not afford. Sinclair advocates for more health risk assessments before proceeding with hydrogen blending.

Hormaza, who has researched hydrogen leakage for a decade, echoed concerns about insufficient research on whether hydrogen could increase leaks. There are also worries about hydrogen’s potential to contribute to global warming through interactions with other gases.

Environmental groups argue that hydrogen should be reserved for high-energy industries like aviation and steel-making, which are difficult to electrify. Others contend that electrifying appliances is a more efficient method for reducing emissions.

“To me, it’s just an absurd project. It’s (a) boondoggle” that exposes residents to unnecessary risks, stated Michael Claiborne, directing attorney with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, an advocacy group representing residents.

If approved, SoCalGas has promised to implement safety measures throughout the project, including leak surveys, detection technology, backflow prevention, and emergency response plans.

Orange Cove resident Francisco Gonzalez, who has friends and family with respiratory issues, shares Figueroa’s concerns about health risks. He emphasizes that the community is not opposed to change or clean energy but insists on being included in the conversation.

Associated Press writer Jennifer McDermott contributed to this report from Providence, Rhode Island.

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Topics
California
Pollution