When Regan Says Hydrogen, Greens Hear Carbon Capture

Carbon Capture/Storage/Use, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Agency/Executive Branch, Infrastructure, Opinions, Policy

March 16, 2023

Print This Article Share it With Friends

by Jean Chemnick (Politico Pro Climate Wire) The EPA administrator hinted at how draft climate rules could promote the use of hydrogen at power plants. But environmentalists contend that carbon capture is the better technology.

When EPA issues draft carbon rules for power plants next month, the proposals may require utilities to prepare for the use of hydrogen or carbon capture in the future but not to achieve emissions reductions immediately based on those technologies.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan last week previewed a role for aggressive technologies in the next round of power plant carbon rules. His remarks suggested to some experts that EPA may be eyeing a “hydrogen-capable” rule for new gas plants that could be followed later by tougher standards as hydrogen infrastructure is built out.

“When we write and design regulations, these regulations are definitely about today, but we’re also thinking about tomorrow,” Regan said last week at the Houston energy conference CERAWeek by S&P Global.

While Regan didn’t reference carbon capture and storage (CCS) in connection to the upcoming rules, industry groups including the Edison Electric Institute have proposed “CCS-capable” standards that utilities could meet by fitting generating units with turbines appropriate for carbon capture systems. A “hydrogen-capable” standard would involve leaving space for hydrogen pipes and additional emissions control systems to filter out nitrogen oxides from burning hydrogen. READ MORE

Comments are closed.

Advanced BioFuels USA