WSSN Stories

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

I’ve tried to get you to listen. I sent many people to you, just like I sent prophets to the people of Israel and Judah to warn them of their apostasy and impending judgment, and just like them, you too wouldn’t listen. ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ [Isaiah 6:9]. This is the broken heart of God. This is love disappointed and wounded. This is God experiencing a deep, piercing sorrow over His loved and lost creation.

Listen, things are not what they seem. The world is headed towards the “Abomination that causes Desolation.” The current crisis that is going on right now in the world is developing a scenario that is going to bring into FULL FORCE, SOON AND VERY SOON, the One World Government, One World Religion, and One-World Economic System, the Mark of the Beast, which is already in effect and which when in full force will be a time of incredible darkness that will descend on the world. [Revelation 13: 1-18]. I tell you; it is imperative that you understand the prophecies and remain aware of future events.

As Pope Francis said in a wide-ranging conversation with the editors of European Jesuit publications on May 19, referring to Russia’s attack against Ukraine, “World War III” has been declared. “The world is at war,” he said. This is something that should give us PAUSE FOR THOUGHT. The danger is that we only see this, which is monstrous, and WE DO NOT SEE THE WHOLE DRAMA UNFOLDING behind this war.

Not only that Pope Francis, who stated World War III has already begun, made another chilling comment when in early December he stated: “While the world starves, burns, and descends further into chaos, we should realize that this year’s Christmas celebrations, for those who choose to celebrate, IT MAY BE THEIR LAST. By this time next year, the world will likely be UNRECOGNIZABLE.”

I’ve warned you. The New World Order is about to launch into full swing and the world is going to be turned UPSIDE DOWN as the result! Prepare yourself and loved ones for what is coming. Know and understand the prophecies, so that you will not be deceived!

For, then I heard another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” [Revelation 14:9].

They were warned, they did not listen and then it happened.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

On January 9, with the sound of African drumming in the background, Shirley Weber was sworn-in as the first-elected Black Secretary of State (SOS) of California and the 32nd person to hold the position.

The ceremony was conducted at the SOS’ auditorium in downtown Sacramento, one block south of the State Capitol.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) administered the oath of office in front of Weber’s grandsons Kadir and Jalil Gakunga.

“I want to thank all of those who work so hard to make this position, the Secretary of State — and all of those wonderful things that come with it — possible, and for being in my life,” Weber said. “I have been blessed beyond imagination with all of the good things California has to give.”

The daughter of a sharecropper from Hope, Ark., Weber said she is “not supposed to be here” as the state’s chief clerk, overseeing a department of 500-plus employees.

Weber grew up in a two-room, “clapboard house” in Arkansas with her parents and five other siblings before the family relocated to Los Angeles where they lived in Pueblo Del Rio, a housing project known as the “pueblos.”

Weber said the “data” projected that she would not have a bright future. Still, she went on to graduate from UCLA with a PHD, serve on the San Diego Board of Education, teach African American studies at San Diego State University, and successfully ran for California State Assembly in November 2012.

‘My father came from Hope, Arkansas, because there was no hope in Hope,” Weber said. “He came to California because he wanted his children to have a better chance and a better life.”

When Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Alex Padilla the state’s junior U.S. Senator in Jan. 2021, he nominated Weber as SOS. Padilla filled in for Sen. Kamala Harris, who was elected U.S Vice President. Weber was officially installed as SOS in April 2021.

Weber’s plan after serving in the Legislature was to move to Ghana, Africa, and “build a house up in the hills.” That all changed when Newsom called.

“It was hard for me to think about becoming Secretary of State because I was so content in the Assembly,” Weber said. “When I was asked to be Secretary of State, I thought hard and long about it. I realized that everything about the Secretary of State was central to my life. I thought to myself that I am always the one taking the hard challenges. I said who better than a kid of sharecropper, who never had a chance to vote, who could fight for the rights of voters.”

The Secretary of State is the chief elections officer of the State, responsible for overseeing and certifying elections, as well as testing and certifying voting equipment for use in California. Weber’s duties also include overseeing the state’s archives division and registry of businesses.

In her remarks, Atkins praised Weber’s “leadership” and “morality” and called her “a tireless champion of democracy,” adding that those characteristics are integral to performing the duties of Secretary of State.

Atkins told guests that she first met Weber when she was 24 years old and that Weber helped her run for state Assembly.

For the first time in its history, California has three Black constitutional officers. The others are Controller Malia M. Cohen and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

“You know, our constitutional officers are unique, and I give credit to our Governor (Gavin Newsom) and the people of California. “There is no other list of constitutional officers like this. Where do you have a list of constitutional officers where it only has one White male in it? That is unheard of. The diversity (and) the fact that women are constitutional officers in California is historic.”

Weber’s daughter, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) was the ceremony’s emcee while Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) provided the invocation. David Bauman’s African drumming and musical selections by Dr. Tecoy Porter, pastor of Genesis Church Sacramento and President of the National Action Network Sacramento Chapter and his Genesis Church choir were the entertainment. Weber’s son Akil Weber provided the closing statements.

“Words cannot express how truly proud I am of what my mother has done, what she will continue to do, the door she has opened, the legacy she is creating,” Assemblymember Akilah Weber said of her mother.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week Malia M. Cohen was sworn-in as the first Black woman – and first African American — to serve as California’s State Controller.

On Monday, January 2, the oath of office was administered by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“I am proud and honored to serve as California’s state controller,” said Cohen. “The work to create a more equitable California has already begun. I look forward to ensuring fiscal accountability, with an eye toward transparency and innovation.”

On Friday Jan. 6, Cohen was given the oath of office by San Francisco Mayor London Breed with her husband Warren Pulley by her side.

The community event was held at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento.

“I am proud and honored to serve as California’s State Controller,” Cohen said. “The work to create a more equitable California has already begun. I look forward to ensuring fiscal accountability, with an eye toward transparency and innovation.”

California now has three Black politicians holding Constitutional offices including Cohen. Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond are the others.

“Congratulations @MaliaCohen. As California’s first Black state controller, Malia has made history and continues to break barriers while helping build long-term equity throughout our communities. I’m confident she will continue fighting for the rights of all Californians,” Breed stated in a January 6 post on her Twitter page

“I am excited to get to work on creating a more equitable California as your next Controller,” Cohen tweeted January 6.

Cohen was elected to the California Board of Equalization (BOE) in November 2018 and was named chairperson in 2019 and 2022. As Controller, Cohen continues to serve the Board as the BOE’s fifth voting member.

Prior to being elected to the BOE, Cohen was President of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco. As a Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, she also served as the Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and President of the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System (SFERS).

Cohen was born and raised in San Francisco. Her political journey, she says lightheartedly, began when she was elected class president of San Francisco’s Lowell High School, the oldest public high school on the West Coast. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Fisk University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

She and her husband reside in San Francisco along with their daughter.

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The controller also has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds.

Cohen’s duties include being a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds.

At the St. Paul Baptist Missionary Baptist Church swearing-in, Kenneth Reece, the Senior Pastor, gave the opening prayer.

Held at the church six miles from the State Capitol, Cohen’s swearing-in ceremony included prayers offered by Imam Yasir Kahn, the Chaplain of the California State Assembly, and Rabbi Mona Alfi, the Senior Rabbi of Congregation B’Nai Israel.

Among guests were Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Director of Bay Area Rapid Transit Bevan Duffy, California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez, the singer Aloe Blacc and Jaqueline Thompson, Pastor at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland.

Cohen’s swearing-in was held on the second anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The day was packed with political activities in Sacramento and shadowed by references to the infamous Capitol insurrection in Washington that shocked people across the country and around the world.

That day, Gov. Newsom was sworn in to a second term. Rob Bonta was also sworn-in for the first time as the state’s Attorney General. He was appointed to the position by Newsom in March 2021.

Before Newsom’s outdoor ceremony, the Governor, his wife, and four children led a march from West Sacramento, across the Tower Bridge, to the Capitol. During the Governor’s address on the steps of the Capitol, he shared his feelings about the attack on the U.S. Capitol two years ago while addressing some of the state’s most pressing issues.

“Our politics doesn’t always reward taking on the hardest problems. The results of our work may not be evident for a long time. But that cannot be our concern,” Newsom said. “We will prepare for uncertain times ahead. We will be prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars, pay down debt, and meet our future obligations. And we will build and safeguard the largest fiscal reserve of any state in American history.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—- The 400 Years of African American History Commission (YAAHC), a federally appointed committee operating independently as established by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and administered by the National Park Service invites you to join them for Justice Sunday Service Around the Clock on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Programming will begin at 12 p.m., EST, hosted by acclaimed actor/producer Ernie Hudson, featuring remarks from distinguished leaders such as:

• Sec. Lonnie Bunch, Smithsonian Institute
• Courtney Cox, SNCC Legacy Project
• Kemba Smith, Kemba Smith Foundation
• Glenn Anton “Doc” Rivers, 400 YAAHC Mentor of the Year
• Bryan Stevenson, Founder of The Equal Justice Initiative
• Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
• Dr. Kideste Yusef, Bethune Cookman University
• 70+ additional voices who maintain a commitment to service across industries, as well as music and spoken word

“Cultivating a space for African Americans to engage with the history of the leaders that preceded us is of the utmost importance. Justice Sunday is a space for us to reflect, reaffirm, and remember our charge on this earth,” explained Executive Director, Ms. Addie Richburg.

The 400 YAAHC recently awarded $150,000 in Network to Freedom grants to 26 existing and prospective listings in 10 states plus Washington, D.C., to document, preserve and interpret Underground Railroad history.

On December 02, 2022, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) presented its David P. Richardson, Jr. National Nation Builder Award to the 400 YAAHC at the 46th Annual Legislative Conference Gala Award Dinner in Las Vegas, Nevada as fighters for truth and justice.

The 400 YAAHC National Student Ambassadors Saniya Gay, the inaugural National Miss Juneteenth, and Tybre Faw, a mentee of the late Congressman John Lewis will co-host the one-hour virtual watch party beginning at 4:45 pm, EST, on Sunday, January 15, 2023, for Justice Sunday Service Around the Clock.

Please visit www.400yaahc.gov for more information.

(Black PR Wire) Her skin is like coal mixed with diamonds and her color-rich resort planet is the jewel of the galaxy. But when a series of phantom voices and painful scars force her into exile, she discovers she’s so much more than a dark beauty queen. Her spirit can inhabit the souls of the dead.

This description summarizes “Where it Rains in Color,” (Angry Robot Books) a sci-fi novel that uplifts black women, celebrates the power of melanin, and shines the spotlight on the brilliant Dogon Tribe of Mali, West Africa (best known for their ability to chart stars without telescopes or other devices).

Written by award-winning journalist, Denise Crittendon, the novel plays with universal beauty standards and challenges the structure and system in which they live.

“It’s important to note that the protagonist is not loved and revered despite being black. She is loved and revered because she is black,” says Crittendon, a former features-writer for “The Detroit News.” She adds: “It elevates African culture and what it means to be black. I wanted to usher in a new black aesthetic and project people of African descent into a future that doesn’t strip us of our innate majesty. The inhabitants of my futuristic black planet are powerful, technological geniuses far removed from the misery of the past.”

Listed by Literary Hub and denofgeek.com as one of the best sci-fi releases of December 2022, “Where it Rains in Color,” was number one on Amazon’s Kindle for two weeks and was heralded by “Book Riot” as a novel that will have you “rethinking how you see beauty.”

Crittendon, who was the first woman in the history of the NAACP to be appointed editor of their naitonal magazine, “The Crisis,” is a native Detroiter who was voted one of the “Most Influential Black Women of Metro Detroit.” She’s co-author of “Millionaire Moves: Seven Proven Principals of Entrepreneurship” (written with business mogul William Pickard).

For more information, contact Caroline Lambe at caroline@angryrobotbooks.com or denisecrittendonbooks@gmail.com.

Black Californians are most affected by criminal offenses based on prejudic

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Officials and advocates across California are pouring resources into pointing out that racism and racial intolerance impact public health — major factors, they say, behind the substantial increase in hate crimes and hate incidents in the Golden State.

In Stop the Hate, a 2021 report focused on hate crimes in Los Angeles County researchers reached several revealing conclusions that line up with trends reported across the state.

Among the findings that stood out in the LA County report were: Black Californians are still most impacted by hate crimes; hate crimes are significantly underreported to law enforcement (by as much 50 %); and they violate human rights as defined by 177 nations around the world in the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Although African Americans in Los Angeles County make up only 9% of the population, they accounted for 46 % of the victims of hate crimes in 2021, according to the Stop the Hate Report.

Statewide in 2021, Black Californians accounted for a disproportionate 44% of the victims of documented hate crimes although African Americans make up about 6% of the state’s population, according to statistics released by the California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office in June.

The Los Angeles County study was spearheaded by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Rights and research for it was conducted in an area encompassing Central and South Los Angeles, neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, West Hollywood and Hollywood

In nearby Orange County (OC), officials there joined a growing chorus of other Golden State cities and counties that have declared racism a public health crisis.

At their Dec. 6 public meeting, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved “A Resolution of The Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange Declaring Racism and Inequity as a Public Health Crisis.”

The resolution is based on the premise that systemic racism causes persistent discriminatory policies and evidence cited in numerous studies linking racism to negative health outcomes. In it, the OC Board of Supervisors vowed to promote an inclusive and racial equity justice-oriented governmental organization that is aware of “unfairness through robust trainings and continuing education to expand the understanding of how racial discrimination affects individuals and communities most impacted by inequities.”

Orange County Human Relations Council Director of Operations Don Han applauded the Southern California county board’s move.

“This signified that we are serious about stopping hate,” said Han, whose nonprofit is geared toward combatting discrimination in the Southern California county. “That is our goal.”

Han said there is evidence that systematic racism has existed in Orange County — which is 70 % White — like most of the U.S., for generations.

Within the last two years, the cities of Coachella, Goleta, Long Beach, and Los Angeles and counties such as Monterey, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Barbara passed resolutions categorizing racism as a public health distress.

The Oakland City Council deemed racism a public health crisis in June and promised to work to advance racial equity.

At the time, Seema Rupani of the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, said the government had a responsibility to address the health problem racism has caused.

“Structural racism has existed for centuries, and it has always impacted communities of color here, but during the pandemic the inequities became more pronounced,” she said. “They were growing. They were becoming more exposed particularly with COVID and housing and homelessness and economic disparities and there was just a responsibility to acknowledge what was happening and to take steps to address it.”

Oakland’s resolution directed $350,000 in the city budget for data analyst and consulting services to aid the city and its department of race and equity to enhance “improvements in systems for collection and processing data to track performance and equity progress,” reads the council’s resolution.

The OC supervisors did not attach a dollar amount to what the county will do to combat discrimination but indicated they will support diversity and inclusion as a core component to the delivery of health and human services for underserved populations, including appropriate allocation of resource to personnel training and public education.

Over 200 governmental bodies in 37 states have passed declarations concerning racism’simpact on public health.

U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky called racism a public health danger in 2021.

She pointed to how the pandemic impacted communities of color in terms of case numbers, deaths, and social consequences.

“What we know is this: racism is a serious public health threat that directly affects the well-being of millions of Americans,” Walensky said. “Racism is not just the discrimination against one group based on the color of their skin or their race or ethnicity, but the structural barriers that impact racial and ethnic groups differently to influence where a person lives, where they work, where their children play, and where they worship and gather in community.”

In Orange County, hate crimes and related incidents were up 165 percent in 2021 compared to five years ago, according to OC Human Relations Council’s “2021 Orange County Hate Crimes Report.”

Black people were the target of 24 reported hate incidents and 16 hate crimes in 2021, while there were 153 hate incidents and 10 hate crimes committed against Asian/Pacific Islanders.

Han touched on how systematic racism can be traced back to slavery — citing, for example, the U.S. Government never honoring Union General William T. Sherman’s promise to grant formerly enslaved Black people land they after they were freed. He added that people who do not understand history fear what the OC resolution could mean legally.

 “There are a number of folks who have a lack of knowledge on this, and they lash out,” Han said. “But they don’t represent a majority of the county. The resolution signified that we are serious about stopping hate. We are seeing a shining light at the end of the tunnel.”

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

That many are not discerning what the enemy is doing in this season. The rat has come in, hiding itself, as though what is being given to the people is wholesome and good, but not so, the rat is deceptive.  Mass, unbridled deception is taken place. Wake up! For the many empty promises, peace, and security, in reality, is the yoking of humanity. Force is now the only rule remaining in Satan-controlled world. Gird your loins! Because soon and very soon, the Antichrist himself will take his position as the leader of the New World Order, and in less than three years, he will attempt to destroy the world. Know that we are no longer waiting for the fulfillment of this prophecy; it has come to pass for the deception that slithered into the Garden now infiltrates the earth. Satan has succeeded in casting his spell of humanism, evolution, and universalism—principles that contradict Scripture and reject the preeminence of Jesus Christ. [1 John 4:3].

So, hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. [Jeremiah 5:21] The End is Near! This is the last hour. As you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have come” [1 John 2:18]. Wake Up!

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshipped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”  And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.  It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear…” [Revelation 13: 1-8].

“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also, it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” [Revelation 13:9-18].

“The Lord is speaking but many aren’t discerning!”

Ai art & content is sweeping through the community

NATIONAL—- A new online marketplace, Melanated AI (www.melanated.ai), is dedicated to celebrating and supporting the work of AI artists and creators of color. This unique platform allows these artists to sell their art as digital downloads, prints, canvas, or non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a digital asset that represents ownership of a unique item, such as a digital artwork. They have become an increasingly popular medium for artists and collectors in the digital art world, allowing for the creation and trade of unique, verifiable digital items.

NFTs offer a new avenue for artists to monetize their work and reach new audiences. By selling their artwork as NFTs, artists can potentially earn a higher price for their work, as collectors are willing to pay a premium for the uniqueness and authenticity of the piece. This can be particularly valuable for emerging AI artists who may not have a large following or established reputation.

Currently there is a debate on the ownership of AI artwork since its generated by crafting text prompt sand feeding them into software. The question of ownership in the context of AI artwork is a complex and often debated topic. On one hand, AI artwork is created using algorithms and software, which raises questions about the extent to which the artist can claim ownership of the final product. On the other hand, many AI artists argue that they play a significant role in the creative process and should be recognized as the creators of the work. Overall, the debate over ownership in the context of AI artwork is ongoing, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, by taking an active role in the creative process and using their own original content as input, AI artists can assert their ownership of the work and claim a significant part of the creation.

Melanated AI was founded with the goal of increasing representation and visibility for AI artists and creators of color within the art world. It is a place where these artists can showcase their talent and reach new audiences, while also monetizing their work.

The platform features a diverse range of art styles and mediums, including digital illustrations, graphic design, and 3D modeling. Customers can browse and purchase artwork by theme, style, or artist, making it easy to discover new talent.

Melanated AI is also committed to educating the public about the role of AI in art and creativity. The platform will also host regular events and workshops featuring AI artists and experts.

“We are thrilled to launch Melanated AI, a platform that celebrates and supports the work of AI artists and creators of color,” said Aquarius Maximus (aka Technologist Tavonia Evans), Founder of Melanated AI. “We believe that representation and diversity in the art world is crucial, and we are excited to offer a space for these talented artists to share their work and connect with new audiences.”

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on December 16 marked a milestone for the state’s 100% clean energy goals when it approved Southern California Gas Co.’s (SoCalGas) request to track costs for the first phase of the Angeles Link project.

Angeles Link is a green hydrogen pipeline system that offers an energy alternative to the Los Angeles region.

SoCalGas proposed the project last February.

Neil Navin, vice president of Clean Energy Innovations for SoCalGas, summarized how the project could help with the state’s goals.

“We were really excited to hear that the project is significant in that it aligns with the state,” said Navin.  “We believe that the project could be the nation’s largest green hydrogen pipeline system. Once it’s built, delivering significant benefits to decarbonize the hard-to-electrify sectors of the economy.”

Green hydrogen involves converting hydrogen gas into electricity or fuel to provide renewable energy as an alternative to finite fossil fuels.

“Green hydrogen looks promising as a form of long-duration energy storage that could enhance electric system reliability and as a fuel that can help California reach its net zero-carbon goals for industrial end uses that currently have no practical alternatives to the use of natural gas,” said Jan Smutny Jones of Independent Energy Producers. “Establishing the memorandum account is a critical first step toward determining whether green hydrogen can supplement or replace natural gas and reduce carbon emissions from end users that are hard to electrify.”

The Angeles Link project aims to enable up to four natural gas power plants to run on hydrogen, remove over 3 million cars’ worth of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide from the air, bolster the economy and create union jobs, according to the SoCal Gas website.

“Green hydrogen is an important pathway to reach our goal of zero-emissions cargo operations at the Port,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “The Port and our terminal partners have five active hydrogen demonstration projects and, ultimately, Angeles Link can play a key role in providing green hydrogen at the scale needed to achieve our zero-emissions and decarbonization goals by 2030.”

The plan for the project is structured into three phases.

Phase one would look at early engineering scoping and would establish a public engagement process. It will take about 12 to 18 months, according to Navin.

Phase two will “expand on the engineering and look at narrowing down the possible locations for the infrastructure,” Navin said.

Phase three will involve more detailed engineering planning before applying for a Certificate for Public Convenience and Necessity. This certificate will allow for the construction of the infrastructure.

Describing the state’s assistance on this project, Navin said, “Certainly, the governor’s budget has dollars specifically directed towards hydrogen technology. We also see in the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board a real emphasis on the potential for green and clean hydrogen to have a significant impact. So, we see the state moving toward – and really emphasizing – the need to develop hydrogen infrastructure for the hard-to-electrify sectors of our economy.”

Navin claimed that Angeles Link will have a positive effect on the state’s economy.

“And we really believe that Angeles Link could be an economic boom,” said Navin. “That extends California’s position as a leader in clean energy well into the future, that takes advantage of the thousands of skilled workers that we have in our company, and the more than 32,000 workers that already exist in the gas distribution industry, and it allows them to participate meaningfully in the transition.”

SoCalGas Chief Executive Officer Scott Drury echoed the sentiment that California is a leader in renewable energy.

“California has some of the boldest climate and clean air goals in the nation. The proposed Angeles Link aligns SoCalGas’ scale, 150 years of expertise in service, and our highly skilled workforce with the clean energy and environmental policies that will shape this century,” said Drury. “As the CPUC’s decision highlights, Angeles Link has the potential to support decarbonization for hard-to-electrify sectors of our economy, improve our air quality, bring new economic opportunities as well as sustain and grow skilled jobs to our region.”