Pixley Residents Win: Hydrogen Plant Permits Rescinded in Environmental Justice Victory

In a significant win for environmental justice, Tulare County has rescinded all permits and approvals for a controversial 28-acre hydrogen plant in Pixley, California. This decision comes as a result of a settlement reached in a lawsuit filed by Pixley Residents for Environmental Justice, represented by Chatten-Brown Law Group, and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability

The proposed plant, which would have stored hazardous, volatile, and explosive materials within 300 feet of the nearest residence, faced strong opposition from the local community. The lawsuit, filed in March 2024, challenged the Tulare County Board of Supervisors’ use of a ministerial exemption to bypass environmental review under CEQA.
Key outcomes of the settlement include rescission of all permits and approvals for the hydrogen plant project and requirement for notice to be given to the plaintiffs if any future development is proposed for the site.
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“It is shocking that Tulare County approved a massive project that will be using poisonous and explosive materials in an area not zoned for that use through an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act,” said Josh Chatten-Brown, Chatten-Brown Law Group managing partner. “We are glad to have reached an agreement that required the County to rescind its approval and will require provision of notice to our clients if the applicant submits a new application for the project.”

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