Our Team

Sara Gersen

Senior Attorney Clean Energy Program

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Media Inquiries

Kathryn McGrath
Public Affairs and Communications Strategist
(202) 516-6932
kmcgrath@earthjustice.org

On Social Media

@sara_gersen

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Sara Gersen is a senior attorney in the Clean Energy Program. She is based in Los Angeles.

In 2022, Sara was recognized by Law360 as an Environmental MVP of the Year for her work detailing the limited role for hydrogen as a climate solution and securing key litigation victories against misconduct by SoCal Gas and illegal barriers to rooftop solar in New Mexico.

Prior to joining Earthjustice, Sara was a law clerk for Justice Gregory Hobbs of the Colorado Supreme Court and completed a fellowship at the Environmental Law Institute in D.C. Sara also worked at the Environmental Defense Fund’s Boulder office, where she first served as a climate and clean air legal fellow and later as a contract attorney.

Sara received a B.A. in political science from Williams College and her law degree with a certificate of specialization in environmental law from the University of California, Berkeley.

The Latest from Sara Gersen

March 13, 2024

In the News: The Orange County Register

After protests, SoCalGas scales back plans to test hydrogen energy at UC Irvine

Quoted: Sara Gersen

“SoCalGas’ hydrogen project threatens to increase lung-searing pollution in a community already breathing some of the most polluted air in the country.”

Article by Brooke Staggs

January 12, 2024

In the News: Canary Media

Tax-credit rules leave key ​‘blue hydrogen’ issues unanswered

Quoted: Sara Gersen

“The prospect of a facility being able to generate these very, very generous tax credits for gray hydrogen with a smattering of biomethane in the feedstock is quite problematic.”
December 5, 2023

In the News: Los Angeles Times

California wants farms to capture methane from cow manure. Neighbors say it’s killing them

Quoted: Sara Gersen

“Methane is not some unavoidable waste product that we need to capture and do something with. [California’s approach] creates a perverse incentive for people to not only continue emitting methane, but ramp up how much methane is getting generated at their facility.”
Aerial view of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant in Montana in 2004.
June 15, 2023

Billions in Hydrogen Tax Credits Could Be Given to Polluters

By Sara Gersen

A sobering look behind the curtain on hydrogen tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act.
March 7, 2023

In the News: The Guardian

Is hydrogen really a clean enough fuel to tackle the climate crisis?

Quoted: Sara Gersen

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in actual zero-emission solutions, but could be a disaster if the federal government pours scarce resources into infrastructure and technologies that could make the climate crisis worse and cause further public health harms. Sowing confusion about hydrogen is a delay tactic, and delay is the new denialism.”
March 3, 2023

Glass Onion Nails It: Policymakers Need to Check Receipts on the Hydrogen Hype

By Sara Gersen

Netflix’s juicy mystery veers close to reality when it comes to the pitfalls of hydrogen — which is no silver bullet for our climate crisis.
Parking Designated For Electric Vehicle
January 13, 2022

What the Electric Vehicle World Can Learn from Successful Energy Efficiency Programs

By Sara Gersen

To expand at-home charging for low- and moderate-income electric vehicle drivers, New Mexico shines a guiding light
June 9, 2021

In the News: Utility Dive

California PUC considers sending utilities back to drawing board on hydrogen blending proposal

Quoted: Sara Gersen

"This isn't the commission slamming the door on hydrogen research — they're just saying that the utilities don't have a blank check, and they expect some minimum coordination in place to make sure ratepayer money would be spent wisely."
The skyline of San Diego, where the local utility wants to raise most residential customers' minimum bills to $38.40 each month.
May 20, 2020

Victory: California PUC Says Utility Can’t Hike Minimum Bills for Residential Customers

By Sara Gersen

San Diego Gas & Electric's proposal to charge households a minimum of $38.40 a month would have hurt rooftop solar and disproportionately burdened low-income customers.
Aerial view of the Port of San Diego
August 15, 2019

Major Investments in Infrastructure to Charge Electric Trucks and Buses Coming to San Diego Region

By Sara Gersen

The California Public Utilities Commission approved a new electric vehicle program for San Diego Gas & Electric Company, solidifying California's leadership in electrifying the freight and transit sectors.
Electric car drivers Stephanie Tiffany, Shanying Cui, and Ari Weinstein (from left to right) purchased their vehicles after their workplace installed charging stations.
April 22, 2019

Want People to Drive Electric? Give Them Workplace Chargers

By Sara Gersen

The California Public Utilities Commission should approve a proposal to deploy more charging infrastructure at workplaces, apartment buildings, and public places.