The petition challenges a 2022 decision by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that ordered utilities to develop demonstration projects for 5% hydrogen blending with natural gas before network-wide injection could proceed.
However, Southern California Gas (SoCalGas), San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southwest Gas Corporation argue the safety case for low-level blends has been “advanced” since the CPUC order. They stressed the petition does not oppose demonstration requirements in the 5–20% blend range.
“Since 2022, a significant body of new research, operational data, and real-world experience has emerged,” the utilities said, adding that utilities globally had already safely demonstrated 5% blends in natural gas systems without appliance modifications.
SoCalGas Vice-President of Gas Engineering and System Integrity, Amy Kitson, said eliminating the 5% demonstration requirement could save ratepayers money and time.
The petition comes amid local opposition to the utilities’ proposed blending pilots in Lodi, Orange Cove, Irvine, San Diego, and Truckee.
Critics have raised concerns about annual tariff increases of between 0.1% and 4% to fund the projects, while environmental groups have criticised the schemes outright.
While positioned as a pragmatic route to cleaning up existing gas use, opponents argue it delivers minimal emissions benefit at high cost. Even at 20% blending, emissions fall only by around 7% due to hydrogen’s lower energy content.
Despite the criticism, the proposal has drawn some support.
Senator Bob Archuleta, in the petition statement, said hydrogen blending was a “forward-looking step” to decarbonise natural gas systems.
UCI Professor, Jack Brouwer, added, “Beginning to evaluate the sustainable transformation of the gas system with clean hydrogen blending is important to meet sustainability and cost goals.”
Why hydrogen blending is up for discussion again
Hydrogen blending is back on the agenda. This time, grid decarbonisation isn’t the primary motive. Now, it is viewed as a way to derisk clean hydrogen projects while demand remains low and infrastructure undeveloped.
However, it’s contentious. Regardless of how pragmatic a route it may be, blending faces stark opposition from both physical and financial efficiency hawks and members of the public.
The growth in discussions comes as the UK energy department consults the market on allowing up to 2% hydrogen blends into the National Transmission System (NTS). The consultation, which launched in July, aims to assess whether the benefits of blending outweigh the potential costs for NTS end-users.
While it’s positioned as a way to support climate targets, the department said, “Transmission blending could play a role in managing the risk of hydrogen producers being unable to sell sufficient volumes of hydrogen…
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