Wall Street-owned gas utilities, led by SoCalGas, are pushing for five dangerous and harmful gas/hydrogen blending projects across California, including one at UC Irvine, in and near campus facilities and dorms used by thousands of students. These proposals would reverse climate progress, harm our health, and put students and workers at risk. The proposals are under review by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates investor-owned utilities.

The plan involves blending 5-20% fossil fuel-based hydrogen with 80-95% methane (natural gas) in pipes, boilers, water heaters, and appliances at UC Irvine's Anteater Recreation Center (ARC).

The application was filed in March. SoCalGas plans to start design and permitting in Q2 2025 if approved. A previous version of this proposal was rejected in 2023 after protests—showing that activism works.

In pipes, appliances and student facilities at the Anteater Recreation Center used by thousands of students, faculty, staff and community members. The dangerous hydrogen/methane blending would happen on the sidewalks, streets, and parking lots near:

• Puerta del Sol, Verano Plac,e and Arroyo Vista student housing facilities

• UCI Early Education Center

• UCI Infant/Toddler Centers

The gas industry, threatened by the push to electrify, is promoting hydrogen to create doubt about electrification, a cleaner, more sustainable solution.

SoCalGas seeks $26.8 million from ratepayers for this project. Decarbonizing with hydrogen would cost Californians $500 billion more than electrification, with SoCalGas benefiting financially. SoCalGas has donated millions to UC Irvine, funding programs that support this project.

The proposed hydrogen blending project at UC Irvine poses serious concerns for the environment, public health, and campus influence. It’s time to push back and demand real climate action through clean electrification.