US Steel, Shell, Equinor to cooperate on hydrogen hub efforts in region

Efforts continue to bring a hydrogen hub to the Pittsburgh region, with U.S. Steel, Shell, and Equinor announcing plans to work together and explore how to make it a reality."I think that's a good thing when you have partnership along three industries like this. Obviously U.S. Steel, Shell, and Equinor, worldwide companies that are looking to decarbonize. They're looking to reduce their carbon loading that goes on in the facilities that they have, "Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.The three corporations said Tuesday they've entered a non-exclusive cooperation agreement to advance a collaborative clean energy hub in the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia region.That, they say, would generate new jobs. Fitzgerald says it also helps existing ones."It's really about jobs. Not just the investment that we'll make, that the federal government and others will make in doing the hydrogen hub, but what goes after the hydrogen hub and how that hydrogen is used to make manufacturing more competitive to create jobs and save jobs here in southwestern Pennsylvania," Fitzgerald said.A hydrogen hub is designed to do two things: first, strip away the dangerous CO2 — carbon dioxide — from natural gas; Second, to store that CO2 deep underground.Local environmentalists contacted by Pittsburgh's Action News 4 sounded skeptical of the announcement."The devil's always in the details, and there's a hell of a devil in these details. It says it right in the agreement, this would expand our reliance on fracking, which we know is a major contributor to the problem of climate change, unhealthy air, and water pollution, and is linked to cancer and other health problems. So despite the way they might be marketing it, this looks like it would spell bad news here for the region," PennEnvironment clean air advocate Zachary Barber said.In a written statement from the Group Against Smog and Pollution, GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said, "Hearing these corporations that rely on hydrocarbons for their core, global, billion-dollar operations promise to work on lowering carbon emissions sounds pleasant but rings hollow. Frankly, we've heard it before. Press releases solve nothing. We'll praise companies like these when they take actual steps to make actual changes and measurably lower emissions."Barber said, "There are ways to tap into the future of hydrogen power that don't further our reliance on toxic fracking. But both this type of fracking-dependent hydrogen as well as the carbon capture technology are both last ditch efforts of the fossil fuel industry and other industrial polluters to throw a lifeline to the fossil fuel industry that's already on its way out."In a written statement from U.S. Steel, the corporation said, "The hub would focus on decarbonization opportunities that feature carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), as well as hydrogen production and utilization. The development of this hub, and its associated infrastructure, would generate new, sustainable jobs, stimulate economic growth, and help achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions."They also said, "The regional CCUS and hydrogen hub aligns with both the United States' and project partners' ambitions to realize net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To support its development, Equinor and Shell will jointly apply for U.S. Department of Energy funding designated for the creation of regional clean energy hubs. U.S. Steel is evaluating the role it may play in the hub, including as a potential funding participant, customer, supplier, or partner."A news release from U.S. Steel provided the following statements, but no spokespersons were available for interviews:"Establishing a low carbon hub in this region could have a profound impact on both the climate and the economy, creating sustainable jobs that will support families for many years to come," says Grete Tveit, SVP Equinor Low Carbon Solutions. "For 14 years we have been engaged and investing in this region, and our significant equity gas production in the Appalachia region has proved to be an important low carbon asset in our portfolio. In collaboration with partners and the local community, we're proud to advance this initiative and America's net zero future."With an abundance of low carbon gas, a robust industrial sector, and a skilled workforce, the tristate region boasts the optimal location for a potential hub. Equinor and Shell are uniquely positioned to help develop a clean energy hub in the region with each having several operational projects around the world. U. S. Steel is a historic innovator and leader in the energy-efficient production of steel. And, it has a strategy focused on creating a more sustainable future for all its stakeholders."We're proud of the collaboration with Equinor and U. S. Steel," says Lee Stockwell, GM US Carbon Capture and Storage for Shell and signee of the Cooperation Agreement. "Together, we'll continue to leverage our deep technical experience, existing networks, and seek to build out the partnership with our customers and other partners.""U. S. Steel is investing significant resources to achieve the sustainability goals in our Best for All® strategy, and we know we cannot do it all alone. Successfully addressing the climate crisis requires public and private collaborations," says Richard L. Fruehauf, U. S. Steel's Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer. "We cannot —and will not —stand still, and this agreement is another effort to advance profitable, sustainable steel solutions for people and the planet."To realize the true potential of a working hub, private and public engagement is critical. Equinor, Shell, and U. S. Steel will be engaging the local industry, labor, educational institutions, and communities, and others.

PITTSBURGH —

Efforts continue to bring a hydrogen hub to the Pittsburgh region, with U.S. Steel, Shell, and Equinor announcing plans to work together and explore how to make it a reality.

"I think that's a good thing when you have partnership along three industries like this. Obviously U.S. Steel, Shell, and Equinor, worldwide companies that are looking to decarbonize. They're looking to reduce their carbon loading that goes on in the facilities that they have, "Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.

The three corporations said Tuesday they've entered a non-exclusive cooperation agreement to advance a collaborative clean energy hub in the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia region.

That, they say, would generate new jobs. Fitzgerald says it also helps existing ones.

"It's really about jobs. Not just the investment that we'll make, that the federal government and others will make in doing the hydrogen hub, but what goes after the hydrogen hub and how that hydrogen is used to make manufacturing more competitive to create jobs and save jobs here in southwestern Pennsylvania," Fitzgerald said.

A hydrogen hub is designed to do two things: first, strip away the dangerous CO2 — carbon dioxide — from natural gas; Second, to store that CO2 deep underground.

Local environmentalists contacted by Pittsburgh's Action News 4 sounded skeptical of the announcement.

"The devil's always in the details, and there's a hell of a devil in these details. It says it right in the agreement, this would expand our reliance on fracking, which we know is a major contributor to the problem of climate change, unhealthy air, and water pollution, and is linked to cancer and other health problems. So despite the way they might be marketing it, this looks like it would spell bad news here for the region," PennEnvironment clean air advocate Zachary Barber said.

In a written statement from the Group Against Smog and Pollution, GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said, "Hearing these corporations that rely on hydrocarbons for their core, global, billion-dollar operations promise to work on lowering carbon emissions sounds pleasant but rings hollow. Frankly, we've heard it before. Press releases solve nothing. We'll praise companies like these when they take actual steps to make actual changes and measurably lower emissions."

Barber said, "There are ways to tap into the future of hydrogen power that don't further our reliance on toxic fracking. But both this type of fracking-dependent hydrogen as well as the carbon capture technology are both last ditch efforts of the fossil fuel industry and other industrial polluters to throw a lifeline to the fossil fuel industry that's already on its way out."

In a written statement from U.S. Steel, the corporation said, "The hub would focus on decarbonization opportunities that feature carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), as well as hydrogen production and utilization. The development of this hub, and its associated infrastructure, would generate new, sustainable jobs, stimulate economic growth, and help achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions."

They also said, "The regional CCUS and hydrogen hub aligns with both the United States' and project partners' ambitions to realize net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To support its development, Equinor and Shell will jointly apply for U.S. Department of Energy funding designated for the creation of regional clean energy hubs. U.S. Steel is evaluating the role it may play in the hub, including as a potential funding participant, customer, supplier, or partner."

A news release from U.S. Steel provided the following statements, but no spokespersons were available for interviews:

"Establishing a low carbon hub in this region could have a profound impact on both the climate and the economy, creating sustainable jobs that will support families for many years to come," says Grete Tveit, SVP Equinor Low Carbon Solutions. "For 14 years we have been engaged and investing in this region, and our significant equity gas production in the Appalachia region has proved to be an important low carbon asset in our portfolio. In collaboration with partners and the local community, we're proud to advance this initiative and America's net zero future."

With an abundance of low carbon gas, a robust industrial sector, and a skilled workforce, the tristate region boasts the optimal location for a potential hub. Equinor and Shell are uniquely positioned to help develop a clean energy hub in the region with each having several operational projects around the world. U. S. Steel is a historic innovator and leader in the energy-efficient production of steel. And, it has a strategy focused on creating a more sustainable future for all its stakeholders.

"We're proud of the collaboration with Equinor and U. S. Steel," says Lee Stockwell, GM US Carbon Capture and Storage for Shell and signee of the Cooperation Agreement. "Together, we'll continue to leverage our deep technical experience, existing networks, and seek to build out the partnership with our customers and other partners."

"U. S. Steel is investing significant resources to achieve the sustainability goals in our Best for All® strategy, and we know we cannot do it all alone. Successfully addressing the climate crisis requires public and private collaborations," says Richard L. Fruehauf, U. S. Steel's Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer. "We cannot —and will not —stand still, and this agreement is another effort to advance profitable, sustainable steel solutions for people and the planet."

To realize the true potential of a working hub, private and public engagement is critical. Equinor, Shell, and U. S. Steel will be engaging the local industry, labor, educational institutions, and communities, and others.

US Steel, Shell, Equinor to cooperate on hydrogen hub efforts in region

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