New York is leading a new multi-state collaboration that is creating relationships with a group of 40 clean energy firms, utilities, and colleges to build a regional clean energy hydrogen center to reduce emissions.
In a statement, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “New York is pleased to lead the way in creating ambitious collaborations to address the existential threat of climate change.” “To New York’s active pursuit of renewable energy options, expanding the hydrogen market is crucial.”
The alliance might help New York reach some of its climate pledges, notably Hochul’s direction to make New York a green hydrogen center in her 2022 State of the State speech.
The states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have joined New York in the accord. The consortium will compete for a piece of the $8 billion in government money set out for four hydrogen centers around the United States.
Hochul said, “By forming this partnership, New York presents a coordinated, multi-state approach to a hydrogen hub that connects the entire value chain of hydrogen producers, users, technology, and equipment manufacturers, and the research and development community, including national labs and universities.”
Hydrogen may be generated in a variety of methods, each of which has significant consequences for the fuel’s climate effect. Steam is used to extract blue hydrogen from natural gas, which creates carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Climate activists consider this technique as a false answer to the climate issue because it produces emissions and relies on continuing natural gas extraction.
The unsustainable elements of blue hydrogen generation make proponents dubious of hydrogen infrastructure plans like US President Joe Biden’s plan to increase natural gas infrastructure to accommodate future hydrogen mobility.
The New York cooperation, on the other hand, is focused on green hydrogen, which is created by splitting hydrogen atoms from water using electrolysis rather than burning fossil fuels. As a result, the agreement may be able to assist the participating countries in meeting their carbon reduction commitments.
“With our partners, New York State is positioning the region as a leader in the development of green hydrogen with a vision for how to provide a significant part of the national hydrogen infrastructure network while delivering benefits to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities by displacing local fossil fuel generation and creating clean energy job opportunities,” said Doreen Harris, President, and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
