Hydrogen hub's environmental impact sparks controversy
Proponents argue a hydrogen hub in Appalachia will reduce emissions, while critics claim the technology is unproven and costly.
Jon Hurdle reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- The hydrogen hub will produce blue hydrogen from natural gas, claiming carbon emissions will be sequestered underground.
- Critics argue carbon capture technology is unproven and does little to offset the environmental damage from natural gas production.
- The project, funded by $7 billion from the Biden administration, promises significant job creation but faces public opposition.
Key quote:
“It doesn’t matter what we want or what we fear as long as our concerns are never included in the calculus of decision making.”
— John Detwiler, retired engineer representing North Braddock Residents for Our Future
Why this matters:
Blue hydrogen, produced by reforming natural gas, emits carbon dioxide—a significant greenhouse gas. However, proponents argue that by capturing these emissions and storing them underground, blue hydrogen can become a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The technology aims to bridge the gap as renewable energy sources like wind and solar scale up.
