The California Energy Commission has granted approval for the 250MW Hydrogen Energy California Power Project (HECA) in Kern County to commence the state's certification process. This project, proposed by Hydrogen California International, plans to construct an integrated-gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power plant that will capture and store 90% of its CO2 emissions. The plant will utilize petroleum coke or blends of petroleum coke and coal for gasification to produce approximately 180 million standard cubic feet per day (mmcf/day) of hydrogen for electricity generation. Additionally, the gasification process is expected to capture around 130 mmcf/day of CO2, which will be compressed and piped to the Elk Hills Oil Field Unit for enhanced oil recovery and sequestration. The HECA project also includes a 100MW peaking gas-fired facility to power the gasifier during plant startup and provide peaking power to the grid. Ultimately, the plant aims to make 350MW available to the grid during periods of high demand. The project has received $308 million in funding from the Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Investment Act. If the project receives final approval, construction is set to commence in 2011, with full commercial operations targeted for 2014. The California Energy Commission oversees various aspects of proposed power plants, focusing on public health, safety, environmental impact, and engineering under the California Environmental Quality Act. While the certification process does not mandate an environmental impact statement, it requires an analysis considering alternatives and mitigation measures to counter any significant adverse environmental impacts of the project. Overall, the approval of the HECA project marks a significant step towards advancing hydrogen energy and sustainable practices in California.