Latest news with #HydrogenHub
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Marion County hydrogen hub leaders travel to Ohio for inspiration
FAIRMONT — Before they can build the future, the planners of Fairmont's proposed Hydrogen Hub had to see it. Last week, members of the Hydrogen Hub project team, including Brian Redmond, traveled to Canton, Ohio to view what hydrogen as a fuel source looks like in practice. The Stark Area Regional Transit has 22 hydrogen powered buses. 'It was great to see hydrogen vehicles in action,' Brian Redmond, owner of Hog Lick Aggregates, said. 'So it kind of proves the point. They demonstrated it can be done cleanly, safely — it's right in the middle of a more residential neighborhood. So it's very safe.' Members of the hub team included Lynn Lyon, industry consultant, Redmond, Joni Grey, Joseph Filchock and Blake Lillard from Pierpont Community and Technical College, Ana Claudia Sant Ana, Munkaila Lambongang from West Virginia University and Mothusi Pahl, vice president of Modern Hydrogen. Redmond said SARDA's operation will be a model that Fairmont's hub will try to build on. Redmond is one of the leads, if not the spearhead, for the project. While he and the rest of the project team will be working with SARDA, both groups are not sharing information and forming no contractual relationships. SARDA is just a good source of information, he said. Lyon, president of Energy Connects, said SARDA is the largest hydrogen transit fleet east of the Mississippi River. Aside from viewing how the hydrogen busses operate, the group also toured a facility that provides support to the fleet. The kind of work and best practices used in Canton are the type that Lyon and Redmond want to see deployed in Fairmont. To accomplish that will require a facility that qualifies as a training, maintenance and demonstration unit at the Fairmont site. Such a facility is already one of two key components of the future Hydrogen Hub, Redmond said. The Clean Fuel Services Institute for traditional transportation fuels and new alternatives will be one of the pillars at the hub. Lyon also appreciates one other aspect of the CFI since it appeals to her background in the oil and gas industry. 'What I really like about what we're working on with this facility is yes, it's about CDL, yes it's about maintaining the trucks, but one unique piece of it is the focus on the fuel. And in addition to traditional liquid fuels like diesel, we have a huge emphasis on innovative, alternative fuels like hydrogen or natural gas,' he said. Lyon said it was important to prove alternative fuels can power day to day operations with heavy duty trucks and off road mining equipment. Redmond said the CFI was in a planning grant right now. West Virginia University and Pierpont Community and Technical College are developing a curriculum for the institute, as well as conducting an economic analysis of the potential impact. Right now initial planning for the facility is being made, with facility and site design in progress. Lyons said she expects the design work to be done by next year, at which point she'll be able to provide a concrete timeline of when the project will be finished. Hydrogen Hubs are key to domestic energy production and regional economies across the U.S., according to the Clean Air Task Force. The organization advocates for the change in technologies and policies to get to zero emissions while producing high energy at a reasonable cost. Redmond cautioned that fuel production won't be part of the purpose of the Fairmont one, but rather act like a refueling station for hydrogen. 'For hydrogen to become a widely traded energy commodity, the hydrogen industry needs to build out regional, national and global networks of producers and off-takers,' Rachel Starr and Jonathan Lewis wrote in a policy brief for the Clean Air Task Force. 'Companies are not going to invest in hydrogen fuel equipment if hydrogen is only available in some pockets of the country.' Redmond has previously emphasized the importance of building out a hydrogen infrastructure in order to make the fuel reach the mainstream. 'We're excited about continuing forward and moving along,' Redmond said. 'And looking to see how we can bring some economic development to the region and county.'
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sarawak To Finalise Hydrogen Industry Regulations, Guidelines By Year-end
GENERAL KUCHING, May 13 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is working to ensure that regulations and guidelines for the state's hydrogen industry are finalised by the end of this year. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that efforts are currently being undertaken by the state's Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability. 'This regulatory clarity will provide confidence to investors, operators and the public alike - ensuring that the hydrogen economy develops in a safe, structured and sustainable manner,' he said in his speech at the Hydrogen Economy Forum 2025, here, today. Abang Johari said that as hydrogen projects continue to expand across Sarawak, the state has taken a bold step to ensure the safe and responsible development of this emerging industry. He said that on Nov 11, 2024, Sarawak made history by passing the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Ordinance, which now includes provisions specifically dedicated to regulating hydrogen-related activities. 'This amendment, among other things, includes the development, generation, distribution and use of hydrogen, as part of our clean energy transition. It introduces new offences and penalties related to hydrogen activities, and empowers the government to impose relevant rates, levies or charges on hydrogen operations. 'I am pleased to share that this ordinance came into force on March 1, 2025, and the state Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability has been entrusted to oversee its implementation,' he said. Abang Johari also said that, in recognising the critical role of clean energy, Sarawak launched the state Hydrogen Hub early last year, further reinforcing its commitment to the energy transition. 'Our flagship large-scale green hydrogen initiatives - the H2ornbill and H2biscus projects - are progressing well, and are expected to complete their Front-End Engineering Design by the end of this year.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana congressmen pen letter for continued funding for Hydrogen Hub
As the Energy Department considers shutting down big energy projects, two Northwest Indiana congressmen are defending the continuation of the regional Hydrogen Hub. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, and U.S. Senator Jim Banks, R-Indiana, wrote a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright to urge the Trump administration to prioritize Northwest Indiana as a regional Hydrogen Hub. 'Prioritizing a Hydrogen Hub in Northwest Indiana is a bold, pro-American decision that plays to our state's strengths. Indiana offers the Hoosier workforce, infrastructure and industrial knowledge to deliver results fast,' the congressmen wrote in the letter. Energy Department officials are considering cutting funding for the development of four hydrogen production hubs in mostly Democratic-leaning states and maintaining funding for three hubs in mostly red states, according to a March Politico article. Congress and the Biden administration allocated the funding for the seven projects, so cutting the funding would politicize federal funds, according to the Politico article. The bp Whiting Refinery could be used for blue hydrogen production, which is created from clean natural gas using carbon capture technology. Blue hydrogen uses existing infrastructure and could provide 'a scalable energy source capable of meeting immediate energy demands,' according to the letter. A bp spokesman declined to comment. The Whiting Refinery can process up to 440,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to the letter. Continuing the project 'will ensure that our energy and steel industries remain well positioned for success into the next century,' according to the letter. 'Investing in blue hydrogen production at this facility will bolster existing supply chains and will best position the United States for energy dominance,' the congressmen wrote. 'We believe the success of the hydrogen energy project will support the administration's stated goal to restore our critical industries and strengthen our manufacturing base.' The congressmen asked the Trump Administration to make the Hydrogen Hub a priority. 'Indiana is ready to lead the way in blue hydrogen innovation, strengthening American manufacturing, boosting our domestic energy supply and lowering costs by maximizing the potential of our abundant and reliable fossil fuel resources,' they wrote. Randy Palmateer, business manager for the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, said the letter gave him 'renewed confidence that this project is going to happen.' 'My members know how important this is for our national, regional and state economy, and our representatives know that too,' Palmateer said. 'It would be a shame to see this project go away, (but) at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel as of now with the bipartisanship I'm seeing. I commend both of them.' Just Transition Northwest Indiana, a regional advocacy organization, has long opposed the Hydrogen Hub deal. In a statement Tuesday, the organization called the hub a 'false solution' as it creates blue hydrogen, which is produced with fossil gas using carbon capture and storage. Pursuing MachH2 funding illustrates a lack of foresight, according to JTNWI, saying the number of jobs will likely be 'negligible,' and crucial provisions for emergency preparedness, electric vehicles and community communication plans are lacking. 'It is a scam that creates the illusion of achieving climate action goals, when in fact, it only serves the fossil fuel industry to further the status quo,' the statement said. 'Rather than pursuing wasteful (carbon dioxide) pipelines and a blue hydrogen hub, Indiana must transition toward a renewable energy economy that future-proofs family-sustaining, union jobs and safeguard community health.' A spokesperson from MachH2 did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The project, according to Post-Tribune archives, will result in the avoidance of more than 3.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. 'We realize mutual success requires building relationships and accountability with community, labor, tribal and other stakeholder groups across project areas,' a previous statement from MachH2 said. 'Since application submission, MachH2 continues to focus on comprehensive social characterization assessments and identifying all relevant stakeholders across our potential project locations. … We are also developing hub-wide accountability mechanisms and processes, to ensure that each of our projects include all relevant and diverse stakeholders in their decision-making.' akukulka@ mwilkins@
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Indiana congressmen pen letter for continued funding for Hydrogen Hub
As the Energy Department considers shutting down big energy projects, two Northwest Indiana congressmen are defending the continuation of the regional Hydrogen Hub. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, and U.S. Senator Jim Banks, R-Indiana, wrote a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright to urge the Trump administration to prioritize Northwest Indiana as a regional Hydrogen Hub. 'Prioritizing a Hydrogen Hub in Northwest Indiana is a bold, pro-American decision that plays to our state's strengths. Indiana offers the Hoosier workforce, infrastructure and industrial knowledge to deliver results fast,' the congressmen wrote in the letter. Energy Department officials are considering cutting funding for the development of four hydrogen production hubs in mostly Democratic-leaning states and maintaining funding for three hubs in mostly red states, according to a March Politico article. Congress and the Biden administration allocated the funding for the seven projects, so cutting the funding would politicize federal funds, according to the Politico article. The bp Whiting Refinery could be used for blue hydrogen production, which is created from clean natural gas using carbon capture technology. Blue hydrogen uses existing infrastructure and could provide 'a scalable energy source capable of meeting immediate energy demands,' according to the letter. A bp spokesman declined to comment. The Whiting Refinery can process up to 440,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to the letter. Continuing the project 'will ensure that our energy and steel industries remain well positioned for success into the next century,' according to the letter. 'Investing in blue hydrogen production at this facility will bolster existing supply chains and will best position the United States for energy dominance,' the congressmen wrote. 'We believe the success of the hydrogen energy project will support the administration's stated goal to restore our critical industries and strengthen our manufacturing base.' The congressmen asked the Trump Administration to make the Hydrogen Hub a priority. 'Indiana is ready to lead the way in blue hydrogen innovation, strengthening American manufacturing, boosting our domestic energy supply and lowering costs by maximizing the potential of our abundant and reliable fossil fuel resources,' they wrote. Randy Palmateer, business manager for the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, said the letter gave him 'renewed confidence that this project is going to happen.' 'My members know how important this is for our national, regional and state economy, and our representatives know that too,' Palmateer said. 'It would be a shame to see this project go away, (but) at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel as of now with the bipartisanship I'm seeing. I commend both of them.' Just Transition Northwest Indiana, a regional advocacy organization, has long opposed the Hydrogen Hub deal. In a statement Tuesday, the organization called the hub a 'false solution' as it creates blue hydrogen, which is produced with fossil gas using carbon capture and storage. Pursuing MachH2 funding illustrates a lack of foresight, according to JTNWI, saying the number of jobs will likely be 'negligible,' and crucial provisions for emergency preparedness, electric vehicles and community communication plans are lacking. 'It is a scam that creates the illusion of achieving climate action goals, when in fact, it only serves the fossil fuel industry to further the status quo,' the statement said. 'Rather than pursuing wasteful (carbon dioxide) pipelines and a blue hydrogen hub, Indiana must transition toward a renewable energy economy that future-proofs family-sustaining, union jobs and safeguard community health.' A spokesperson from MachH2 did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The project, according to Post-Tribune archives, will result in the avoidance of more than 3.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. 'We realize mutual success requires building relationships and accountability with community, labor, tribal and other stakeholder groups across project areas,' a previous statement from MachH2 said. 'Since application submission, MachH2 continues to focus on comprehensive social characterization assessments and identifying all relevant stakeholders across our potential project locations. … We are also developing hub-wide accountability mechanisms and processes, to ensure that each of our projects include all relevant and diverse stakeholders in their decision-making.'
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Marion County Commission turns into shouting match in wake of Cinalli 'firing' incident
Feb. 6—FAIRMONT — Marion County Commission President Ernie VanGilder tried to distract from his botched dismissal of County Administrator Kris Cinalli by going on the offensive at Wednesday's County Commission meeting. However, former commissioner Randy Elliott did not let VanGilder forget why VanGilder was in hot water to begin with. "I'm here today in support and defense of County Administrator Kris Cinalli," Elliott said. "Against a ridiculous, unauthorized, and I might add, unsuccessful attempt by Commissioner VanGilder to fire Kris, which happened after the last County Commission meeting two weeks ago." Elliott accused VanGilder of acting outside his authority, with no legal cause or the required vote to remove Cinalli from his position. Elliott added VanGilder demonstrated his personal animosity toward Cinalli by calling the County Deputy's office and requesting them to escort Cinalli out of the building. "Sheriff Roger Cunningham, Chief Deputy Jeff Carpenter, showed up and found out what was going on," Elliott said. "They did not escort him out of the building. Kris left of his own accord, with a box of his belongings from his office and totally embarrassed and humiliated by Ernie's actions." VanGilder declined to comment on Cinalli's firing in the past, citing policy regarding privacy of personnel issues. However, that did not stop one of his colleagues from revealing what happened the day VanGilder tried to dismiss Cinalli without authorization. VanGilder's unilateral action caused discomfort to the Commission. In an email obtained through a records request, Commissioner Bobby DeVaul strenuously emphasized that commissioners' actions should be legal and ethical. "I will not participate in any decisions or actions that fail to meet those standards," DeVaul wrote. One accusation VanGilder tried to engage in unilateral action led to other accusations of unilateral action from at least one of his colleagues. Elliott echoed those concerns in his remarks to the Commission. VanGilder went on the offensive as soon as the meeting opened. Before starting the commission's agenda, he furiously criticized coverage by the Times West Virginian, calling articles featuring him smears and attacks on his personal character. However, VanGilder could be seen visibly pressing into his seat as Elliott held his attention for VanGilder's unauthorized attempt to fire Cinalli. VanGilder offered corrections to the original story. He pointed out it was Commissioner DeVaul who nominated VanGilder for the role of commission president. The minutes of the meeting where that took place bear him out. He also disputed attempting to build a Hydrogen Hub in Marion County, calling it a pure fiction. "We have the Hydrogen Hub, we have to get that project finished and developed," he said in an article from Oct. 22, 2024, bringing up the Hydrogen Hub as one of the projects he wanted to see finished if he won reelection. "It will bring not just jobs in the hydrogen industry but also develop the proposed industrial park there on the south end of Fairmont, closest to the interstate." VanGilder also objected to a claim which stated County Attorney Chuck Shields found no conflict of interest with his ownership of a property that was under scrutiny due to the potential of it being developed as part of a project to create an access road leading to the proposed site of the Hydrogen Hub. Shields clarified what VanGilder said, stating that his opinion was he agreed with a finding of the West Virginia Ethics Commission that there was no conflict of interest. VanGilder defended his record on the County Commission. "The pay isn't very good to start with," he said. "I do it because I enjoy the job and I feel like I'm giving something back to the community. Until a few years ago, we made a lot of decisions in this room. I worked with two democrats — sitting right there — many years. Did not have all this contention and did not have a press continually try to create chaos in this county and keeping this county from advancing in any way or form." On the issue of VanGilder not ceding the commission's presidency to Longstreth according to what VanGilder disputes is an unwritten tradition, he said he spoke to Longstreth on the phone where she asked him if he would want to serve another term. What VanGilder didn't discuss during the eight minutes he lashed out, was the injury he inflicted on himself when he tried to fire Cinalli without authorization. His choice to do so provided the inciting incident which led to the chain of events VanGilder had to defend himself against on Wednesday. After Elliott shared his opinion, VanGilder called Elliott's comments unfactual. Elliott asked VanGilder to tell him which portions were unfactual. VanGilder told Elliott the remarks about Elliott attacking him over the years was unfactual and refused to elaborate further. Elliott and VanGilder butted heads in 2022, when Elliott accused VanGilder of letting his business interest and animosity against the City of Fairmont get in the way of his work as a commissioner. Elliott pressed forward, attempting to get VanGilder to clarify what exactly was unfactual about Elliott's remarks. "I told you, I'm not making any comment because that's exactly what you want me to do," VanGilder said. "Please, take a seat. You've had your five minutes of fame. You're done. Next item." Commissioner Longstreth gave her remarks at the end of the meeting. She said traditionally, Marion County Commissioners have always worked together in a collaborative manner. She said observers should not take the articles published as an indication of how the commission is being run. Instead, they highlight the need for commissioners to recognize that the residents of Marion County have entrusted them to make decisions to maintain and improve their community and quality of life. She recharacterized what she felt articles was describing the current situation at County Commission as a rift. She said her hope was the commission would get its house in order and return to making decisions together for the county. "It is a disagreement only effective communication and following correct procedures should have prevented," Longstreth said. "As Commissioners, we are here to serve the people. We must discuss and deliberate on issues of all levels of importance based on what we were elected to do regardless of personal agendas or political affiliations. People depend on us and frankly it's our job to meet those expectations." Reach Esteban at efernandez@
