Project Overview
Based on the findings of the Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100), the Scattergood Generating Station Units 1 and 2 Green Hydrogen-Ready Modernization Project has been identified as an integral component of LADWP’s electrical power Strategic Long-Term Resource Plan (SLTRP), which establishes the pathway to achieve a carbon-free energy system for the City of Los Angeles. This project is necessary to maintain grid resiliency and transmission reliability of the City’s electrical power grid during and after the transition to a carbon-free system. The deployment of additional firm capacity resources utilizing renewably derived fuels, such as hydrogen, will allow LADWP to meet future peak demands from load growth, address transmission contingencies, and support the accelerated buildout of clean energy projects.
Project Description
The proposed project would replace the existing generation capacity of Units 1 and 2 at Scattergood Generating Station. Currently, electricity is generated via conventional natural-gas-fired steam boiler generator. The proposed project will have the capability to utilize renewably-derived green hydrogen fuel. This hydrogen-ready capability would allow LADWP to begin the conversion from natural gas to green hydrogen at this plant.
LADWP anticipates incorporating and increasing green hydrogen usage as turbine technology and infrastructure continues to improve with a goal of achieving 100 percent carbon-free fueling as soon as it is technically and practically feasible to do so. This project will allow for the deployment of additional capacity resources by utilizing renewable derived fuels, such as hydrogen. In turn, this allows LADWP to meet future peak demands, address transmission contingencies, and support the accelerated buildout of clean energy projects.
The project will eliminate the use of once-through-cooling through the installation of an air-cooled-condenser. By doing this, LADWP will exceed compliance mandates set by the California State Water Resource Control Board Policy. In addition, LADWP anticipates a reduction of air pollution emissions under the provisions of the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market Program stipulated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Green hydrogen technology is currently at its early stages; therefore, installation of the hydrogen infrastructure for production, transportation, and storage is not included in the scope of this project. It will be analyzed in a separate CEQA document when the necessary information to support an adequate analysis of potential impacts is available.
Environmental Review Process
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), state and local government agencies are required to inform other agencies and members of the public about the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project, and to reduce or mitigate those impacts to the extent feasible. As the lead agency, LADWP has prepared an Initial Study and determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is the appropriate environmental document needed to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft EIR and Public Scoping Meeting has been prepared along with the Initial Study and can be accessed in Environmental Reports starting May 15.
Project Schedule
Construction of the proposed project is anticipated to begin in early 2026 and continue through late-2029.
Public Scoping Meeting
LADWP welcomes public participation and held a virtual Public Scoping Meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. A copy of the presentation can be viewed here.
As a reminder, members of the public who wish to submit a comment as part of the CEQA record can do so by mail or email. Please send comments to the following:
MAIL
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Environmental Planning and Assessment
Attn: Jazmin Martin
111 North Hope Street, Room 1044
Los Angeles, CA 90012
EMAIL
[email protected]
Please remember to include your name and return address so that you can be added to the project mailing list for future project notifications. Your name, address, and comments become public information and may be released to interested parties if requested.
Please ensure that comments are postmarked or emailed on or before July 14, 2023, the end of the public comment period.