State Energy Commission Reviews Hydrogen Plant Proposal
TUPMAN, Calif. — State officials got more information Wednesday night on a proposed hydrogen power plant, which would be the first of its kind in the U.S., that could be built in western Kern County.
Two of the five members of the California Energy Commission held a public hearing, listening to several public comments and a presentation from Hydrogen Energy California, which is proposing the 250-megawatt facility near the Tule Elk State Preserve.
Proponents argued for the new jobs and tax benefits to the county, as well as a new source to meet the energy demands of today and beyond.
But opponents argue the plant still generates a high amount of pollution, and would take away some of the most efficient farmland in the Central Valley.
The hearing is part of a year-long certification process held by the California Energy Commission to either approve or deny the plant, which recently received $308 million from the Department of Energy in stimulus funding to build the project.
“All the commissioners are very interested in this technology, but it still must meet all requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act,” said commissioner Jeffrey Byron. “We will not be cutting it any slack in that regard.”
Another hearing is scheduled for November.
