Energy funding cuts will affect GOP areas of California

The ARCHES project isa public-private partnership that would create at least 10 hydrogen production sites around the state, primarily in the Central Valley.

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THE SCATTERGOOD Generating Station is one of L.A.'s largest power sources.

(JAY L. CLENDENIN Los Angeles Times)

It would also help transition two large gas-fired power plants — Scattergood in Los ‘Angeles and the LodiEnergy Center in San Joaquin County — to 100% renewable hydrogen, and develop more than 60 hydrogen fueling stations in areas including Fresno, Riverside, Orange and San Joaquin counties.

In all, it would deliver an estimated 220,000 jobs, including 130,000 construction jobs and 90,000 permanent jobs, according to the state. California is pursuing hydrogen in addition to renew-ables such as offshore wind, solar power and geothermal energy to help diversify its supply, meet growing demand driven by artificial intelligence data centers, and reach its target of 100% car-bonneutrality by 2045.

The Trump administration said terminating the clean energy projects will save taxpayers money.

One district with a project that has been cut is the northern San Joaquin Valley, represented by Tom Mc-Clintock (R-Elk Grove). Mc-Clintock said he strongly supports the Energy Department’s decision.

“$7.5 billion comes out to about $60 taken from the average earnings of every family in America,” McClintock said. “Call me old-fashioned, but I think that companies should make their money by pleasing their customers and not by using government to take money that families have earned.”

The Times also reached out to Reps. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), Keven Kiley (R-Rocklin), Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Young Kim (R-Anaheim Hills) and Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake), whose districts are touched by the ARCHES hub and other terminated projects.