ORANGE COVE, CA — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is proposing a pilot program to test ways to lower carbon pollution by blending hydrogen into the city’s existing natural gas pipes.
The 18-month experiment would deliver a gas blend containing up to 5% hydrogen to local businesses and the town’s approximately 10,000 residents. To produce the hydrogen, SoCalGas plans to use a solar-powered electrolyzer. This machine uses electricity to separate hydrogen from water, resulting in carbon-free fuel.
The project is estimated to cost $64.3 million, and customers would pay for it through their gas bills.
Local Support and Economic Impact
Orange Cove city leaders, including Mayor Diana Guerra Silva, voted unanimously to support the initiative. Mayor Silva noted that the project could bring new jobs and more business to the community. Supporters say the town could become a pioneer by testing the new system.
Proponents of the technology estimate that a 5% hydrogen blend could reduce annual carbon pollution by roughly 1,200 tons. According to utility estimates, this is like taking 254 gas-powered cars off the road.
Community Health and Safety Concerns
The proposal has met resistance from some local residents and advocacy groups, such as the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. Critics have raised concerns about health and safety, noting that hydrogen is more flammable than natural gas.
These concerns are especially high in Orange Cove. About 39% of the citrus farming community lives in poverty, and the town has the highest asthma rate in Fresno County.
Opponents also point to research showing that burning a hydrogen blend in older appliances can increase nitrogen oxide. This is a pollutant linked to breathing problems. Advocacy groups worry the project could create new safety hazards in a community already struggling with high rates of illness.
To address these concerns, SoCalGas said it will take precautions such as detecting leaks, installing valves to prevent gas from flowing backward, and creating specific emergency plans.
Industry and Regulatory Landscape
This is not the first time SoCalGas has faced pushback. SoCalGas changed a similar proposal at the University of California, Irvine, after residents protested over safety concerns.
The Orange Cove project comes as the hydrogen industry faces an uncertain future. Federal support for these projects has recently declined. For example, California recently lost $1.2 billion for a “hydrogen hub”—a planned network of fuel production sites—after federal spending cuts by the Trump administration.
State regulators at the California Public Utilities Commission are currently reviewing the Orange Cove application and are expected to make a final decision in 2026.
