This is a problematic idea because detractors believe that it would extend, rather than phase out, the rule of fossil fuels. Furthermore, trapping CO2 does not address methane leaks, which are a major issue for natural gas infrastructure. There are also concerns that a new hydrogen sector would produce its own set of issues. Several environmental organizations lobbied US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm earlier this week to eliminate hydrogen projects from the Biden administration’s environmental justice efforts, citing safety concerns about leakage from hydrogen pipelines and storage facilities.
Nonetheless, the Biden administration seems set to pursue its hydrogen goals. The strategy released yesterday includes clean hydrogen production targets that increase over time: 20 million metric tonnes by 2040 and 50 million metric tonnes by 2050. According to the Department of Energy, this may cut US greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2050. However, the plan is still in draught form, and the DOE says it is seeking comments before completing the approach.
