SDG&E hydrogen project is both risky and dubious

Re “SDG&E’s hydrogen blending project: Hope or hype?” (Oct. 3): We should focus on accelerating electrification and planning just transitions for fossil fuel workers, not prolonging fossil fuel use.

Blending introduces a toxic, corrosive gas into circulation, requires expensive new pipeline construction to ensure safety, and puts entire neighborhoods at risk of fire and explosion.The American Medical Association opposes blending for health and safety reasons.

Despite the hype, leaks will occur. Once airborne, hydrogen leads to 35 times more climate warming than CO2, negating the purpose of blending.

Who will pay for constructing new pipelines, retiring current ones and cleaning attendant hazardous waste? SDG&E must minimize inequitable outcomes, include meaningful participation of affected communities, be transparent in planning and execution, and pay the pilot program’s costs without passing them on to customers.

I urge readers to contact SDG&E and oppose this dangerous and inefficient idea.

— Ken Kobayashi, Rancho Santa Fe