Environmental Justice Impacts of the Hydrogen Economy

06/23/22 • 56 min

The hydrogen buzz is getting louder. Carbon-free hydrogen is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s strategy to achieve President Biden’s net-zero by 2050 target, and the bipartisan infrastructure law earmarked $8 billion for regional clean hydrogen hubs. Meanwhile, natural gas and electric utilities in more than a dozen states are proposing hydrogen-blending for use in buildings and natural gas plants. In this episode, energy equity advocates discuss which of these hydrogen applications have the most potential and which are the most problematic. You’ll also hear how hydrogen could harm environmental justice and frontline communities, as well as more promising and equitable solutions.

Guests:
Abbe Ramanan, Project Manager at Clean Energy States Alliance and Clean Energy Group. Abbe specializes in equitable low-income solar policy, managing the Solar with Justice: Connecting States and Communities project, and leading the Hydrogen Information and Public Education project. She also supports the Resilient Power Project to provide solar and battery storage technologies to the communities that need it most. Abbe holds a master’s in energy policy from Tufts University, and a bachelor’s in international studies from American University.
Victor Davila, Community organizer and ACTION program manager at The Point Community Development Corporation. Victor has been a Bronx based community organizer for over 16 years and attended the University of Vermont. Victor is a co-founder of the environmental education skate group Eco Ryders and a member of the New York Renews organizing committee.
Daniel Chu, Energy Planner for the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance. Daniel is an urban designer interested in civic involvement in the built environment design and preservation. He has experience working at NYC 2030 District focusing on building efficiency and heat pump retrofits in Brooklyn, and at Urban Design Forum reporting infrastructure maintenance and global zoning practices. He's held various positions with The New School, where he also received a Master of Science in Design and Urban Ecologies and a BA in Urban Studies.
To Dig in Deeper, Check out these Must-Read Resources:

· Clean Energy Group
· The Point Community Development Corporation
· New York City Environmental Justice Alliance & Peak Coalition
· Assessing the Viability of Hydrogen Proposals: Considerations for State Utility Regulators And Policymakers | Energy Innovation
· Hydrogen Information and Public Education Project Page | Clean Energy Group
· 5 Reasons to Be Concerned About Green Hydrogen | Clean Energy Group
· Hydrogen Heating & Cooking Would Cost Homeowners $100,000+ Extra Over 15 Years | Clean Technica
· Event: Verge Electrify (July 26-29, 2022)

Previous Episode

Looking for Freedom from Fossil Fuels: Decarbonizing the European Union

Russia’s unprovoked Ukraine invasion sent shockwaves across the world and shined a spotlight on the true costs of our global fossil fuel reliance, especially for the European Union (EU). The EU’s 27 members buy a quarter of their oil and more 40 percent of their gas from Russia, and EU households are facing high energy bills and accelerating impacts from the climate crisis.
On this episode of Electrify This!, host Sara Baldwin speaks with energy policy experts at the Regulatory Assistance Project and Agora Energiewende to explore how the EU can end its reliance on Russian gas and oil, achieve its climate goals, and ensure its consumers benefit from the transition. Tune in to learn how consumers can lead the way through electrification combined with a clean grid that puts the EU on a path to a more prosperous, safe, and peaceful future.
Guest Bios:
Michaela Holl is a Senior Associate at the independent thinktank, Agora Energiewende, working to influence EU clean energy policies. Prior to this, she worked as a policy analyst at the European Commission, the EU s executive arm for 16 years on a broad range of EU legislation from tobacco regulation to renewables and energy efficiency. She also worked as assistant to a Member of the European Parliament. Michaela holds a Master degree in European Economics from the College of Europe in Bruges and a Diploma in International Business and Cultural Studies. She is also a visiting lecturer at Technical University Munich’s School on governance and co-host of the bimonthly Watt Matters Podcast.

Jan Rosenow is a Principal and Director of European Programmes at the Regulatory Assistance Project and has several board appointments including the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the Coalition for Energy Savings and the Carbon Free Europe. Jan is also an Honorary Research Associate at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute and has been appointed Special Advisor to the House of Commons’ inquiry into decarbonizing heating. He was named one of the world’s Top 25 energy influencers and co-hosts the Watt Matters podcast.

To Dig in Deeper, Check out these Must-Read Resources:

Next Episode

Connecting the Dots: Cooking, Climate, and Clean Air

Did you know the gas that heats many of our buildings, cooks our food, and dries our clothes causes air pollution? Recent studies demonstrate the climate and health harms of burning gas indoors, particularly in our kitchens. Gas stoves can emit up to 1.3 percent of the gas as unburned methane—a powerful greenhouse gas—along with other health-damaging air pollutants. Fortunately, electrified stoves offer a physician- and chef-approved solution! This episode stirs up this hot topic with a pediatrician, a senior research scientist and a professional chef discussing ways we can all cook clean!
Guest Bios:
Dr. Curtis Nordgaard is a pediatrician and is part of a group called PSE Healthy Energy, where he does research on natural gas and its implications for human health. Dr. Nordgaard holds two Master of Science degrees in Psychology and Biology from McMaster University, and a Medical Degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He completed his residency training at the Boston University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School combined training program in pediatrics. He also trains resident pediatricians at a community health center in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston.
Dr. Eric Lebel is a Senior Scientist at PSE Healthy Energy, where he does research on emissions of methane and health-damaging air pollutants, including those from abandoned oil and gas wells and residential appliances. He has worked to develop new methods for quantifying emissions of methane and other pollutants throughout the state of California, authoring several research studies on the topic. Eric graduated from Stanford University with a PhD in Environmental Earth System Science.
Chef Christopher Galarza, Founder of Forward Dining Solutions LLC, is an entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and podcaster renowned for his work in kitchen electrification. He is the country’s foremost expert in commercial electric-kitchens, and he works with governments, manufacturers, brands, designers, and chefs to create lasting sustainable kitchens and culinary ecosystems. Chef Galarza has worked for Carnegie Melon University, Monterey Bay of Pittsburgh, and The Greenbrier of WV where he apprenticed under several Certified Master Chefs and culinary Olympians.

To Dig in Deeper, Check out these Must-Read Resources:
· PSE Healthy Energy
· Forward Dining Solutions
· Did I Turn Off the Stove? Yes, but Maybe Not the Gas (New York Times)
· Home is Where the Pipeline Ends: Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds Present in Natural Gas at the Point of the Residential End User
· Measuring Methane and NOx Emissions from Gas Stoves
· Building Decarbonization Practice Guide
· The Electric Explainer: Key programs in the Inflation Reduction Act and what they mean for Americans
Note: This episode was recorded prior to the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes new incentives for electrification, including for induction and electric stoves.