Before the Gavel: Resident Criticizes Hydrogen Bus Plan Ahead of Committee Review

A local resident is urging city officials to reconsider Pasadena’s investment in hydrogen-powered buses, warning the technology is flawed both economically and environmentally, as the Municipal Services Committee prepares to take up a key contract tied to the program.

“Hydrogen buses make no economic or climate sense,” Altadena resident Sanford Krasner wrote in correspondence submitted ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.

Krasner’s comments come as the City Council’s Municipal Services Committee is scheduled to consider a recommendation to authorize the city manager to enter into a contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for bidding and construction administration services for a hydrogen fueling station project, in an amount not to exceed $316,800.

The fueling station is part of a broader initiative approved by the City Council in August 2025, which allocated approximately $32 million for the purchase of 17 hydrogen-fueled buses and supporting infrastructure.

In his letter, Krasner questioned whether the city has conducted a full lifecycle analysis of hydrogen production, noting that most hydrogen currently in use is “gray” hydrogen derived from natural gas, a process that generates greenhouse gas emissions. He also raised questions about whether Pasadena would rely on locally produced hydrogen or imported fuel transported through residential neighborhoods.

He also raised concerns about efficiency, citing lower energy conversion rates compared to battery-electric buses, and questioned whether limited supplies of carbon-free electricity should instead be directed toward more efficient technologies.

Krasner further pointed to cost considerations, referencing studies that suggest electric buses have significantly lower lifecycle and operating costs. He also cited concerns about the reliability of hydrogen supply chains, including potential disruptions tied to production and transportation, and asked how much fuel could be stored locally in the event of an outage.

The correspondence highlights examples of transit agencies in Southern California — including LA Metro, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus and Long Beach Transit — that have implemented electric bus fleets, as well as cities internationally that have moved away from hydrogen-based systems.

City officials have previously said hydrogen buses are part of a strategy to meet statewide zero-emission transit goals established by the California Air Resources Board, which calls for a transition to zero-emission bus fleets by 2040.

The committee will also consider how the proposed fueling infrastructure fits into the city’s broader climate action goals, including efforts to transition to carbon-free energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across municipal operations.

Tuesday’s committee discussion is expected to focus on the proposed fueling station contract, though public comment suggests broader concerns about the city’s long-term clean transportation strategy.

“I believe that Pasadena should halt its procurement of hydrogen buses, and switch to electric,” Krasner wrote.