Commentary: Hydrogen should be part of American energy – Grand Forks Herald

If allowed to develop, clean hydrogen could play a pivotal role in our energy future, especially in cleaning up industries essential to America’s economy, such as heavy industry and long-haul transportation. According to the International Energy Agency, clean hydrogen technologies could account for up to 50 percent of emissions reductions in these industries by 2070, but only if we invest in innovation and scale this critical technology.

Hydrogen is a fuel source that releases only water and warm air as byproducts, making it an inherently clean energy option. While traditional hydrogen production methods contribute to emissions, they can produce little to no emissions in the future. The only obstacles standing in the way are economic and technological hurdles , which can be addressed through research and development.

Natural gas is the most readily available and cost-effective source for hydrogen production. Through carbon capture and storage technology advancements, hydrogen produced from natural gas could be a cleaner solution. Some may argue that this approach is a handout to the oil and gas industry. Still, the reality is that natural gas will play a critical role in developing clean hydrogen technologies. By harnessing American ingenuity, we can unlock hydrogen’s potential.

Policies like the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit and the 45Q Carbon Sequestration Tax Credit will help scale clean hydrogen technology and drive incremental progress toward reducing emissions. The 45V tax credit incentivizes hydrogen producers to lower emissions by rewarding the production of cleaner hydrogen, including hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture. The 45Q tax credit, on the other hand, supports the deployment of carbon capture technologies, offering incentives for capturing and storing carbon emissions. Together, if implemented effectively, these policies can encourage innovation, reduce costs and accelerate the scaling of this energy technology.

Another promising initiative for scaling clean hydrogen is the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Hubs . These public-private partnerships are designed to create economies of scale, drive down costs, and encourage widespread adoption of clean hydrogen across industries. While this is a step in the right direction, we must implement these initiatives with a focus on innovation rather than burdensome regulations that could slow progress. Efforts to limit the use of natural gas, particularly alongside carbon capture, could unnecessarily hinder clean hydrogen’s ability to bolster American energy while lowering emissions.

With emissions from manufacturing expected to increase by 17 percent from now until 2050, it’s essential that we find cleaner solutions to power this critical industry. Energy demand continues to skyrocket , and we must ensure we can meet that demand. Clean hydrogen has the potential to support American energy dominance, but only if the industry is given the resources and time needed to develop it.

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

Commentary: Hydrogen should be part of American energy – Grand Forks Herald, source

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