New Mexico’s Gov. Lujan Grisham has said a hydrogen bill will be a priority in the coming New Mexico legislative session. Unfortunately most hydrogen production presents a grave climate threat rather than a solution.
The state has released a "discussion draft" of hydrogen legislation. While renewable-powered "green" hydrogen could be important in some specific hard-to-decarbonize applications in the hydrogen legislation. While renewable-powered "green" hydrogen could be important in some specific hard-to-decarbonize applications in the future, this draft incentivizes the worst, dirtiest and most dangerous types of hydrogen.
Most of the hydrogen currently produced — and all of what is proposed in New Mexico — is produced from methane gas, and the process is powered by gas as well. Hydrogen already causes 3-4% of the world's greenhouse pollution. Methane-fueled hydrogen used to run gas plants has been shown to produce more climate pollution than even directly burning coal or gas because of methane leakage and carbon emissions.
Her agencies are asking for feedback on the bill. I sent the following message to the Governor – emotional and personal. She knows the facts.
Dear Governor,
I was shocked and deeply disturbed as I read the discussion draft of your proposed hydrogen legislation. As proposed, this bill would add to methane-based greenhouse gasses via gray hydrogen production, at a level greater than directly burning fossil fuels at power plants.
Without the proposed tax credits this would not be financially feasible. Your proposed hydrogen hub simply keeps gas fired generation going longer and stronger than the economics dictate. Renewable wind and solar generation, paired with battery storage, is at or below the total cost of gas generation.
Instead of being the environmental leader to the world on methane emission reductions, you will be pegged as a hypocritical politician tied at the hip to the gas and oil industry.
You are capable of ever so much more than this. You deserve a better legacy than the one your hydrogen hub will bestow. The citizens of this state love and respect you. Please reconsider this fool-hardy move.
You have at your fingertips the ability to create a new source of state revenues via the export of renewable energy -- solar and wind -- throughout the region. This is the future you want for your beloved state, and your rightful legacy.
Be strong, rise up, and say NO to the gas and oil industry!