By Rebecca Kaplan, Vice Mayor of Oakland
PUBLISHED The Oakland Post, October 18, 2024

For too long, Black, Latino, and lower-income communities, particularly those in industrial truck corridors along West and East Oakland and near busy highways, have been subjected to a disproportionate share of harmful air pollution caused by emissions, especially diesel particulate emissions, from trucks and other sources. A recent study authored by researchers at UC Berkeley and the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found that disparities are widening between the communities most exposed to harmful pollutants and those most protected from them. 

As California accelerates its shift to a clean energy future, the debate around how to best reduce emissions often focuses on the merits of one technology over another.

But the truth is, to meet our ambitious climate goals, we need a comprehensive approach—one that includes both electrification and clean hydrogen solutions. We cannot afford to choose one over the other if we want to ensure a cleaner, more equitable future for all.

That’s why I was honored to welcome state and federal leaders to Oakland for the official launch of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), a groundbreaking project that marks a turning point for our city and the greater Bay Area.

The event showcased Oakland’s leadership in hydrogen adoption, demonstrating how Oakland is implementing innovative technologies that have practical benefits for our community.

This includes a hydrogen sea ferry that will reduce emissions in our bay, AC Transit hydrogen buses that will improve air quality on our streets, and the NorCAL ZERO First Element Hydrogen Fueling station, the largest in the nation, which will significantly reduce harmful air pollution from our hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Why does this matter for Bay Area residents?

For too long, Black, Latino, and lower-income communities, particularly those in industrial truck corridors along West and East Oakland and near busy highways, have been subjected to a disproportionate share of harmful air pollution caused by emissions, especially diesel particulate emissions, from trucks and other sources.

A recent study authored by researchers at UC Berkeley and the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found that disparities are widening between the communities most exposed to harmful pollutants and those most protected from them.

Reducing truck emissions is one of the most important steps we can take toward climate and environmental equity in terms of human health impact; it causes asthma, cancer, and even premature birth in these disproportionately impacted communities.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is a crucial piece of the puzzle in addressing these challenges, offering both environmental and economic advantages that will benefit Oakland and Alameda County for future generations.

Two years ago, I was proud to introduce a resolution asking the state to make the City of Oakland a clean-fuel hydrogen hub for ARCHES, which aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable hydrogen and develop the necessary infrastructure. This initiative is pivotal for several reasons:

• It supports the transition to a zero-carbon economy, aligning with our city and state’s ambitious climate goals.
• It prioritizes environmental and energy justice, addressing the needs of communities like ours that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution.

The focus on equity within ARCHES cannot be overstated. The realization of economic and environmental benefits from hydrogen projects represents a tangible commitment to rectifying historical injustices by addressing environmental disparities rooted in systems of injustice.

With zero-emission trucks and improved air quality, we are taking a significant step toward reversing the health impacts suffered by our communities. Beyond the environmental improvements that our region desperately needs, this initiative is poised to create good-paying jobs and boost our local economy.

For these hydrogen projects to realize their full potential, ongoing support and engagement are crucial. We must continue to advocate for policies that support clean energy, push for further investment in renewable infrastructure, and ensure that the benefits of these advancements reach all corners of our community.

As we look ahead, we must prioritize a California with cleaner air and a more robust economy. The hydrogen revolution is here, and with it, an opportunity to transform the Bay Area for a brighter, healthier, and more equitable future.