Environment
The HECA project will be designed, constructed and operated to high environmental, safety and health standards, including California and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District emission standards.
California recognizes the need for a hydrogen economy and the HECA project would be creating a source of hydrogen for electrical power generation with the option of other possible future uses, including transportation.
This hydrogen fuelled power station would avoid over 2 million tons per year of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere by storing them underground in depleting nearby oil fields.
The HECA project’s gasification process would feature near zero sulfur emissions during steady-state operation, meaning sulfur would also be captured rather than released into the atmosphere.
The primary fuel to be used at the plant, petroleum coke (petcoke), is a low value by-product of the oil refining process which would normally be exported to Asia. Using it locally would reduce the carbon emissions associated with its export to Asia for disposal.
One of the concerns frequently raised in California is the need for process water. The HECA project would preserve the limited fresh water sources by using brackish ground water that currently negatively impacts local agricultural activity. The brackish groundwater will be supplied by a local agricultural water district and will be treated on site to meet project standards.
Wildlife and habitat surveys will be completed to put in place appropriate wildlife management systems.