Los Angeles has officially removed coal from its power supply, heavily investing in hydrogen-ready infrastructure and pioneering large-scale green hydrogen projects, signalling a transformative shift towards a sustainable and flexible energy future.
Los Angeles has formally removed coal from its power supply as it accelerates toward a legally binding target of 100% clean energy by 2035, a transition driven in large part by two hydrogen-focused projects: the Intermountain Power Project’s IPP Renewed in Utah and a hydrogen-ready retrofit at the Scattergood Generating Station in west Los Angeles. According to the original report, Mayor Karen Bass announced the city’s full divestment from coal on 4 December 2025. Industry and local-government reporting places the development as a pivotal moment for scaling green hydrogen from demonstration to grid-scale service.
A new role for Intermountain: combined cycle plus hydrogen
The Intermountain Power Project, long a coal-fired supplier, has been rebuilt under the IPP Renewed programme. The site now hosts modern combined‑cycle gas turbines designed to operate immediately on blends of roughly 70% natural gas and 30% green hydrogen, with a staged pathway to 100% hydrogen over time. The plant’s configuration will be supported by on‑site electrolysis powered by renewables and large underground salt‑cavern storage , a set‑up described in trade and national coverage as one of the world’s largest integrated green‑hydrogen power and storage hubs. According to state and industry summaries, power from IPP Renewed is expected to flow to Los Angeles in late 2025.
Scattergood: rapid‑response firming in the city
Locally, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has approved close to $800 million to convert Scattergood Units 1 and 2 into rapid‑response combined‑cycle units capable of using at least 30% green hydrogen blends when the system needs dispatchable capacity. Work is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and continue through late 2029. The plant’s new role is explicitly not baseload; rather, it is being developed to provide flexible, on‑demand firming during peak loads, prolonged low‑sun or low‑wind periods, and transmission contingencies.
Where hydrogen fits in the clean mix
Front‑of‑meter renewables and large battery projects , notably the Eland Solar‑plus‑Storage Center , helped push Los Angeles past roughly 60% clean energy in 2025. But grid planners and modelling show batteries alone struggle with multi‑day lulls; long‑duration options such as hydrogen combustion backed by cavern storage can provide multi‑day buffering. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory study commissioned for the City Council compared the hydrogen‑ready Scattergood pathway with alternatives including fuel cells, additional battery capacity, demand response and new transmission, indicating there are multiple technical routes to secure firm, low‑carbon supply.
Economic and environmental trade‑offs
The twin projects have catalysed billions of dollars of investment and a regional supply‑chain buildout , from electrolyser manufacturing to turbine retrofits and storage construction across Utah and California. According to government and industry reporting, proponents say the transition removes coal emissions from the city’s supply immediately and signals market demand for hydrogen‑capable equipment.
But important trade‑offs remain. Both projects currently rely on some natural gas combustion while ramping hydrogen content, so near‑term emissions do not reach zero. Local stakeholders have raised air‑quality concerns, particularly about potential increases in NOₓ from hydrogen blends, and regulators are scrutinising water usage for electrolysis and safety standards for hydrogen transport and storage. Project proponents point to emissions‑control technology and evolving turbine designs as mitigation pathways, while independent modelling groups continue to assess lifecycle impacts and resource needs.
Market and policy signals
Los Angeles’s move sends a clear procurement signal to turbine manufacturers, electrolyser makers and utilities: there is market demand for hydrogen‑capable kit and large‑scale long‑duration storage. If IPP Renewed and Scattergood deliver reliable, cost‑competitive firming while managing local environmental impacts, the approach could be exportable to other coal‑dependent regions. Conversely, persistent cost, emissions control or resource constraints could steer jurisdictions toward alternative zero‑combustion strategies.
What to watch next
Key near‑term indicators for industrial decarbonisation professionals include actual hydrogen blending percentages achieved in operations; demonstrated costs per MWh of hydrogen‑augmented generation versus alternatives; outcomes from regulatory reviews on NOₓ limits, water permitting and hydrogen safety; and the pace of electrolyser and turbine retrofit supply‑chain scale‑up. According to local and national coverage, lessons from these projects will shape whether green hydrogen becomes a mainstream grid‑firming option or remains a niche solution within a broader portfolio of long‑duration resources.
- https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/green-hydrogen-fuels-l-a-s-coal-free-grid-with-utah-and-scattergood-projects/8574128/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/coal-free-la-mayor-bass-announces-full-divestment-coal-city-power-supply-accelerating – On December 4, 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the city’s full divestment from coal in its power supply, marking a significant step towards achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. This milestone follows the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) cessation of coal-fueled energy from the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) in Utah, which had been supplying the last remaining coal-powered energy to the city. The transition is part of a broader strategy that includes investments in solar, wind, and battery storage to replace fossil fuels and support the city’s clean energy goals.
- https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-12-04/los-angeles-says-so-long-to-coal – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has officially stopped receiving coal-powered electricity from the Intermountain Generating Station in Utah, marking the end of the city’s reliance on coal for power. This move is part of Los Angeles’s commitment to achieving carbon-free energy by 2035. The transition includes investments in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and battery storage. The Eland Solar-plus-Storage Center, completed earlier this year, has contributed to the city surpassing 60% clean energy in its power supply.
- https://energy.utah.gov/2020/08/12/green-hydrogen-project-underway/ – The Intermountain Power Agency (IPA) in Utah is advancing a green hydrogen project at the Intermountain Power Plant in Delta, Utah. The initiative involves replacing the existing coal-fired units with new natural gas turbines capable of operating on hydrogen blends. The project aims to produce ‘green hydrogen’ through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, store it in underground salt caverns, and use it for grid-scale electricity generation. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power intends to utilize this new plant to help meet California’s 2045 decarbonization target.
- https://www.ppi-int.com/industry-news/a-landmark-energy-transition-at-utahs-intermountain-power-project/ – The Intermountain Power Project (IPP) in Utah is undergoing a significant transformation known as IPP Renewed. The project involves replacing existing coal-fired units with new natural gas turbines capable of operating on hydrogen blends. The goal is to run these turbines entirely on green hydrogen by 2045. The site also benefits from a massive salt dome beneath the plant, providing the foundation for one of the U.S.’s largest planned hydrogen storage hubs, Advanced Clean Energy Storage (ACES) Delta.
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2025/12/04/la-kicks-coal-as-it-fires-up-the-worlds-largest-green-hydrogen-power-plant/ – Los Angeles has officially stopped using electricity generated from coal and is about to fire up the first large-scale plant making power from both green hydrogen and natural gas. The Intermountain Power Project in Utah will send electricity to Los Angeles generated from turbines powered by combusting a blend of natural gas and hydrogen. The initial goal is to run a mix of 70% gas and 30% hydrogen, with plans to transition to 100% hydrogen over time. The hydrogen is produced on-site and stored in a vast underground salt cavern adjacent to the plant.
- https://www.pbssocal.org/redefine/its-official-los-angeles-coal-free-by-2025 – Los Angeles has officially divested from coal, with the city’s last remaining coal-powered energy source ceasing operations at the end of November. The Intermountain Power Project in Utah, which provided 11% of L.A.’s energy in 2024, has transitioned to natural gas and hydrogen blends. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has invested in various renewable energy initiatives to achieve 100% carbon-free energy in L.A. by 2035, including the completion of the Eland Solar-plus-Storage Center, one of the country’s largest solar-plus-battery power plants.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the latest developments reported on December 4, 2025, including Los Angeles’ full divestment from coal and the initiation of green hydrogen projects. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-12-04/los-angeles-says-so-long-to-coal?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
Direct quotes from Mayor Karen Bass and other officials are consistent with recent reports, indicating originality and exclusivity. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-12-04/los-angeles-says-so-long-to-coal?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Hydrogen Fuel News, a niche outlet focusing on hydrogen energy. While it provides detailed information, cross-referencing with major reputable sources like the Los Angeles Times and Forbes enhances credibility. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-12-04/los-angeles-says-so-long-to-coal?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims align with recent developments in Los Angeles’ energy sector, including the transition to green hydrogen and the cessation of coal use. The narrative’s technical details are consistent with known plans for the Intermountain Power Project and Scattergood Generating Station. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-12-04/los-angeles-says-so-long-to-coal?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, with direct quotes matching recent reports, and aligns with known developments in Los Angeles’ energy sector. While originating from a niche outlet, cross-referencing with major reputable sources supports its credibility. No significant discrepancies or signs of disinformation were identified.
