Energy Exchange

The safeguards 45V needs to avoid fossil hydrogen regrets

By Morgan Rote and Chelcie Henry-Robertson

As the U.S. invests billions in deploying its hydrogen strategy with the goal of decarbonizing industry and reducing emissions, the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit is the big ticket item on the table aiming to kick-start the emerging hydrogen economy. Unsurprisingly, everyone wants a share of this financial incentive, and the details are being ironed out as we speak. But current loopholes in the rules are opening the door for the very real – if unintentional – prospect of boosting hydrogen that is not clean and will not reduce emissions. Here we lay out three accounting schemes that can be used to classify hydrogen as ‘clean’ but could actually worsen the climate if not addressed. To protect the integrity of our hydrogen decarbonization strategy, our taxpayer investments into new clean solutions, and our policies designed to do this, we have to ensure that the right safeguards are in place and these dangerous loopholes are closed. 

Read More »

Posted in General / Authors: / Comments are closed

The European hydrogen bank could help determine whether the climate wins or loses

 

By Anna Lorant and Guillaume Morauw

The European Hydrogen Bank, a financing instrument that supports renewable hydrogen production within the EU and internationally, has just announced a €1.2 billion investment to help boost the renewable hydrogen economy, a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. While many are focusing on how this can help to meet hydrogen production targets, it’s important to remember that how we deploy hydrogen also matters. Whether or not hydrogen will actually deliver climate benefits depends on the detail, and that is why all eyes are on the Terms and Conditions  of the second Hydrogen Bank Auction, as a significant instrument to scale up the European hydrogen market.  

Read More »

Posted in General / Authors: / Comments are closed

Florida should protect utility customers from rates that yield excess profits for affiliated companies

 

Florida is overwhelmingly dependent on natural gas imported from out of state to generate 75% of its power for customers like homes and businesses. Unfortunately, a loophole in fuel cost recovery policy creates financial incentives for outsized natural gas dependence, funded by Florida families and businesses through rates and Florida lacks a comprehensive process for integrated resource planning, instead typically deferring to 10-year plans filed by utilities, with no requirements to diversify energy sources.    

Read More »

Posted in General / Authors: / Comments are closed

Colorado again leads the way with methane verification protocol

By Nini Gu

Developing more accurate emissions inventories with real-world measurement data of oil and gas climate pollution is key to verifying our progress toward addressing climate change.

Earlier this month, the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division achieved a major breakthrough to do just that when it finalized its Greenhouse Gas Intensity Verification Protocol, marking the first time a government agency has created a comprehensive framework for measurement, reporting and verification of methane emissions at oil and gas production sites.

Read More »

Posted in Colorado, Methane regulatons / Authors: / Comments are closed

Building resilience in small island states: what to expect at the 4th SIDS conference

By Daniel Whittle

Chronic power outages, food disruptions and climate-related disasters have become commonplace across the Caribbean. But amidst these challenges, there’s room for optimism. Increased funding, growing awareness, supportive policies and community leadership offer an opportunity for rebuilding and strengthening resilience in the Caribbean and small island developing states, or SIDS,  around the world.

Read More »

Posted in General / Authors: / Comments are closed

Here’s what the Advanced Clean Trucks rule means for Illinois manufacturers

 

By Neda Deylami

Misinformation about zero-emission vehicles and confusion around federal Environmental Protection Agency standards versus those states can adopt under the Clean Air Act waiver has left many manufacturers, small businesses and fleet managers wondering what market-based policies like the Advanced Clean Trucks rule could mean for their operations and bottom line. 

Read More »

Posted in General / Authors: / Comments are closed