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Los Angeles Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
A test of oil-eating microbes is underway at a retired fossil-fuel field in Central Valley
Microbes can break down everything, including methane and plastic. Now, a startup is pioneering their use to consume oil and produce clean hydrogen. Houston-based Gold H2 has completed a field trial at a retired oilfield in California's San Joaquin Basin, successfully producing hydrogen underground using its novel biotechnology in what it says is a world first. The most common form of clean hydrogen is produced using machines that can split apart water, but the process is expensive compared with producing it with fossil fuels. Gold H2 is working to bring down costs of the green fuel by utilizing existing resources and infrastructure. The startup introduces a proprietary blend of microbes and nutrients into nearly depleted oil reservoirs. The microorganisms then break down the oil in the reservoir, excreting hydrogen in the process that the startup can pump to the surface. The startup's value proposition to an oil company is, 'Let's utilize this oil that you're unable to produce, and rather than go and abandon these assets, let's produce what's down there in a clean and cost-effective manner,' said Chief Executive Officer Prabhdeep Singh Sekhon. Gold H2 has a path to producing hydrogen at a cost of about 25 cents per pound, which could make it cost-competitive with natural gas, Sekhon said. The company's process emits some carbon dioxide running its hydrogen purification system, though Gold H2 estimates that the emissions would be comparable to green hydrogen produced by electricity and well below gas derived from fossil fuels. The company is finalizing other field trials in the U.S. and globally, with one planned for the third quarter in Texas. But scaling the process to reach commercial scale, let alone be cost-competitive with other forms of hydrogen, remains challenging. Other startups are also trying to find and tap underground deposits of hydrogen, some of which could be nearly 100% pure. In comparison, Gold H2's field test produced hydrogen at a 40% purity, which is 'incredibly low,' said Musfika Mishi, a technology and innovation analyst for BloombergNEF. That means Gold H2 will have to purify and process the hydrogen it produces to strip away other gases, an expensive process. Federal incentives for clean hydrogen are on the chopping block as part of Republicans' tax bill. The current Senate version eliminates a production tax credit, which would probably keep U.S. demand low for clean hydrogen — which can be used in place of fossil fuels for hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping and aviation. The Senate is considering a path to saving the credit. Because of the uncertainty, Gold H2 is targeting building projects abroad and sees potential in Canada, the Middle East, Europe and Brazil, Sekhon said. 'We're definitely — I don't want to say insulated — but preparing for international deployment,' Sekhon said. Ma writes for Bloomberg.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
RTO Mohali issues over 33,000 challans, collects Rs 11 crore in 18 months
1 2 3 Mohali: The regional transport officer (RTO), Mohali, has issued more than 33,000 challans and collected a total of Rs 11.09 crore in penalties over the past 18 months, in a joint enforcement drive with the Mohali traffic police. The action is part of a continued crackdown on traffic violations, including a special focus on school buses under the Safe School Vahan Policy. According to RTO Rajpal Singh Sekhon, 1,140 school buses were penalised during this period, an average of about two buses per day, for a range of violations including the absence of CCTV cameras, speed governors, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, valid permits, pollution certificates, fitness documents, GPS systems, drinking water, and proper uniforms for drivers and staff. Sekhon emphasised that ensuring the safety of school children is of utmost importance. "Under the Safe School Vahan Policy, each school is expected to form a transport safety committee to monitor buses operating on different routes. Key safety features such as CCTV cameras, attendants handing over children to parents, and driver uniforms are non-negotiable," he said. You Can Also Check: Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh According to official data in 2024, 28,661 challans were issued, generating Rs 8,78,10,603, including 1,274 challans issued by the RTO alone. In 2025 so far, 4,685 challans have been issued, with a revenue collection of Rs 2,31,19,600, including 386 challans from the RTO office. The combined 18-month tally stands at 33,346 challans and Rs 11,09,30,203 in fines collected. RTO Sekhon also revealed that during surprise inspections of school buses, several institutions were found violating safety norms, which led to the issuance of numerous challans. He warned that such inspections will continue, and strict action will be taken against schools that fail to comply with transport safety regulations. The department aims to ensure greater adherence to traffic norms and promote safer road practices, especially for school-going children.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Giaspura School head seeks CM intervention
Following the disappearance of several quintals of ration allocated for the Mid-Day Meal scheme at the Government Primary School (GPS) in Giaspura, the district education officer (DEO) elementary had previously initiated a preliminary inquiry into the matter. However, in light of the continued inaction and absence of any concrete outcomes, the officiating head of the institution has now escalated the issue by formally writing to the chief minister. DEO Ravinder Kaur, had ordered an inquiry in January, into the mismanagement of food grain stock at the school, after a major discrepancy was found between the food grain stock recorded in October 2024 and the actual amount available at the school. The issue was brought to light by the officiating head teacher, Sukhdhir Sekhon, who reported that by December last year, the school had completely run out of wheat grains, leaving only a small quantity of rice. Responding to the situation, DEO Kaur directed the block primary education officer (BPEO) of Sidhwan Bet, Hardev Singh, to conduct the inquiry. According to an enquiry report, on October 23 last year, 85 quintals of wheat and 97 quintals of rice were marked as delivered to the school. However, staff members have confirmed that no such stock ever reached the premises. In fact, receipts for these quantities were issued to the vendor, but the school never received the rice, leading to a serious supply shortage. Making matters worse, the school's storeroom lacks the capacity to even hold such large quantities, raising further questions about how such a large-scale discrepancy went unnoticed. DEO informed that she has submitted an enquiry report to higher authorities on May 7, recommending strict action against the school's former head teacher and several staff members allegedly involved in the matter. Highlighting the ongoing challenges, Sekhon explained, 'As per block-level records, we appear to have ample food stock, but in reality, we don't. When we request additional supplies, the system shows we have enough, which isn't true. This mismatch is directly impacting our ability to provide mid-day meals.' Sekhon further shared that a few days ago, the state coordinator of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme visited the school. 'I explained the entire issue to him. He assured that he would look into the matter,' he said. During an October visit to the school last year, DEO Kaur also discovered multiple irregularities, including discrepancies in student attendance records, mismatches between the attendance register and the e-Punjab portal, and incomplete stock registers for uniforms. Furthermore, the January 2024 grants for room construction had not been verified, and OMR sheets for competency assessments were reportedly missing from several classes.
