End Run

August 2022

According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), green hydrogen is a nascent technology that is still in the research, development and demonstration stage. Not to mention there is considerable uncertainty regarding hydrogen’s long-term cost and commercial availability. In fact, what qualifies as green hydrogen is still being determined.

The legislature has already instructed the CEC to analyze green hydrogen and make recommendations on its role in meeting California’s zero carbon goals by 2045. The CEC just initiated that effort a few weeks ago aimed at providing policymakers and other stakeholders with an “analysis from a neutral point of view [that] would ensure policymakers and future planners have actionable information available to them” to assess the feasibility and cost effectiveness of green hydrogen.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) also recently released a preliminary study on the operational and safety concerns of injecting hydrogen into the existing natural gas pipeline network. That report from UC Riverside raised serious public safety, pipeline integrity, leakage and storage concerns. The report ultimately recommends a 3-year limited “real world demonstration effort under safe and controlled conditions.”

So why is SoCalGas Company trying to prematurely require procurement of green hydrogen as well as authorize billions of dollars for new hydrogen pipelines. . . all at massive ratepayer expense?

The answer is simple. It’s part of a controversial “pipe dream” plan to “decarbonize” their natural gas business, thwart electrification and earn billions of dollars in additional profits for their shareholders.

Say No to SB 733.