A new hydrogen energy power plant could have all of the permits to break ground this year in Kern County. That's the word from SCS Energy, which is backing the project.
But, some local farmers and environmentalists say, not so fast. They believe the plant would create more harm to our air and land than good.
Just outside of Tupman, the sign is up, claiming the land for a future power plant.
Richard Chapman, President of the Kern Economic Development Corporation, says the plant would create 2,000 construction jobs and 200 full-time jobs when it's operational.
"It's basically clean or cleaner than a natural gas plant," said Chapman.
The $4 billion plant would burn coal and petroleum coke, a bi-product of oil refineries. Gases are created to make fertilizer and energy, enough for 160,000 homes each year.
And, carbon dioxide would be pumped into the ground, freeing up oil and forcing it to wells, allowing only ten percent of the emissions to escape. The San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District issued preliminary approval.
"So, we are complying with all of the California and Valley environmental requirements which is a big part of this process," said Larry Pickett, a hydrogen plant representative.
Tom Frantz, a local almond farmer and head of the Association of Irritated Residents, doesn't feel that way.
"They call it, ironically, a clean energy power plant. It's the opposite," said Frantz.
Frantz says the plant won't just create pollution, so will the trucks and trains needed to bring in the 16 tons of coal and petroleum coke needed daily to power it.
"Over 520 tons of air pollution from this project in our already extremely dirty air, and the way they say they mitigate some of this is by buying emission reduction credits that are more than 30 years old," said Frantz.
Frantz says the plant will also use water that could be going to crops and take away hundreds of acres of prime farming ground.
"We're not taking away the ag land," said Pickett. "We purchased the acreage to build this kind of a plant that had not been used in farming."
"When they burn the hydrogen, it sounds like it's clean, but it pollutes the air like burning any other gas. And, all of the other aspects of this project make this a very dirty project. It's inappropriate. That's the bottom line," said Frantz.
There are several more public hearings, and both sides say they will meet with the County Board of Supervisors. But, the California Energy Commission will make a final decision.
If it's approved this year, it could be up and running by 2017.