Green Groups Back Lawsuit Against Scattergood Hydrogen Retrofit

A coalition of environmental organizations has thrown its weight behind an existing legal challenge concerning the Scattergood power plant’s proposed hydrogen conversion. The suit, originally filed by Communities for a Better Environment alongside Los Angeles Waterkeeper, contends that city officials and LADWP did not satisfy the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). With the additional groups now on board, the case gains broader backing as it moves through the courts.

The dispute centers on whether proper environmental review was conducted before advancing the hydrogen retrofit at Scattergood. CEQA mandates that public agencies evaluate and disclose the environmental consequences of major projects, and the plaintiffs argue that step was skipped or inadequately handled. By joining the suit, the new organizations aim to force greater transparency and accountability from the city and its utility.

Hydrogen retrofits at gas-fired plants have become a flashpoint in California’s energy transition debate, with critics questioning both the emissions profile and the cost of such conversions. For now, the lawsuit represents the latest effort by community and environmental advocates to ensure that large-scale energy projects face rigorous scrutiny before moving forward.