Environmentalists and sceptical locals threaten key element of US plans for green energy
One of the Biden administration’s flagship projects to derive energy from hydrogen faces an uncertain future due to strong community opposition, underscoring the difficulty in rolling out a technology once hailed as key to the green transition. The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub , spanning the prolific Marcellus shale basin in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, is designed to produce hydrogen using primarily gas and carbon capture by mid-2030.
until more clarity was provided on the project. “This is just the latest reinvention of the industry in an attempt to stay relevant and reposition themselves as a solution to a problem that they created, the climate crisis,” said Tom Torres, hydrogen campaign co-ordinator for the Ohio River Valley Institute, and one of the letter’s signatories. Clean hydrogen has been touted for its potential to green hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping and cement production.
, which use gas and carbon capture, also known as blue hydrogen. But the rollout of blue hydrogen is controversial because it generates emissions and relies on carbon capture technology, which has yet to be proven cost-efficient at scale. A study by researchers at Stanford and Cornell found that the emissions footprint of blue hydrogen was 20 per cent greater than burning gas or coal for heat.
and former deputy assistant secretary for oil and gas under the Trump administration, has defended the hub’s environmental credentials and commercial viability. He said the hub would not “cause new wells to be spudded” and attributed local pushback to a “misunderstanding” about the project’s stage of development.
was in negotiations with the DOE and had not finalised sites for its hydrogen facilities to begin serious community engagement, said Bennett. “In lieu of funding it’s very difficult . . . to start making promises and commitments to communities,” said Bennett, who testified at a Pennsylvania house hearing on June 17 on hydrogen hubs, where environmental groups and lawmakers raised concerns over blue hydrogen’s carbon footprint.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea and Japan criticised for approach to climate collaborationEnvironmentalists question joint decision to promote hydrogen and ammonia as emission reduction tools
Read more »
EV transition drives Indonesia’s ‘dirty’ nickel boomEnvironmentalists accuse Jakarta of prioritising mining of key commodity over nation’s biodiverse rainforests
Read more »
Ofwat plan to cut sewage fines ‘sends dangerous message to water firms’Proposals to limit fines for struggling water companies have been branded 'out of touch' by environmentalists
Read more »
Joe Kinnear’s family say 'his career killed him’ after autopsy reveals brain conditionAn autopsy revealed Kinnear suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) - a brain condition thought to be linked to repeated head injuries.
Read more »
Joe Hart planning to join Green Brigade for Celtic gameA massive banner dedicated to Hart was unveiled during his final Premiership game for the Hoops as he re-emerged against St Mirren.
Read more »
Taylor Swift Hard-Launched Travis Kelce on Instagram in Her Ex-Boyfriend Joe Alwyn's HometownTaylor Swift fans had a lot to say about her latest Instagram post with Travis Kelce and the royal family after the first London Eras Tour concert.
Read more »