LA City Council Approves $1 Billion Hydrogen-Gas Retrofit Plan Despite Warnings of Higher Costs and Pollution

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a $1 billion plan to retrofit the Scattergood plant to burn a mix of hydrogen and natural gas.

Critics argue that this will lock residents into decades of higher costs and continued pollution, while also slowing investment in cleaner options such as local solar and battery storage.

The project's proponents claim it is a climate-friendly bridge project, but opponents question the city's commitment to its 100% renewable energy mandate by 2035.

Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky, Nithya Raman, and Eunisses Hernandez voted against the project, citing concerns over costs and environmental impact.