Today, the Texas Hydrogen Production Policy Council released its report titled, “Hydrogen Energy Development in Texas – A Report for the 89th Texas Legislature“.
The Council is composed of leaders from government and industry including: Christi Craddick, Chairman Railroad Commission of Texas; Richard Fenza, Air Liquide; Preston Kurtz, Air Products & Chemicals; Nigel Jenvey, Baker Hughes; Keith Wall, CenterPoint Energy; Ian Lindsay, Chevron New Energies; Angie Murray, Enterprise Products; Brian Weeks, GTI Energy; Jeffrey Pollack, Port of Corpus Christi Authority; Brian Korgel, The University of Texas at Austin; and Kelsie Van Hoose, Williams Companies.
From the Report:
“In 2023, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Hydrogen Production Policy Council (Council) to study and make recommendations relating to the policy framework of the Railroad Commission of Texas for hydrogen energy development in Texas. The Council was established in December 2023 pursuant to House Bill 2847 (88th Legislature, Regular Session), and its initial report details the Council’s analysis and preliminary recommendations. The report’s recommendations are focused on ensuring effective and consistent regulatory oversight of hydrogen production, transportation, and storage, while maximizing economic opportunities for the development of the hydrogen industry in Texas.”
The report provides an analysis of the tremendous economic opportunity presented by hydrogen energy development and makes important recommendations for the Texas Legislature to consider. Included among the findings:
“Texas’ hydrogen industry complements conventional energy production within the state by
supporting the production of conventional and clean fuels and creating significant demand for natural gas and electricity production, bolstering Texas’ position as a global energy leader. Hydrogen supports the current energy economy in Texas as a critical component to both conventional refining and the growing production of new biofuels (such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel) within the state. As highlighted above, clean hydrogen production in Texas will create significant new demand for Texas energy, requiring approximately 1 trillion cubic feet per year of new natural gas and approximately 70,000 to 90,000 MW of new clean electricity generation by 2050.”
Included in the recommendations:
“Recommendation 6: Texas should continue to support its efforts to ensure a low-cost, reliable supply of natural gas and electricity, which are foundational to all forms of hydrogen production and to the industries creating hydrogen demand. Ensuring electrical grid reliability and maintaining a world-leading low-cost profile for natural gas and electricity—particularly low carbon intensity electricity such as renewable, geothermal, or advanced nuclear—are foundational to the success of new projects. Existing natural gas and power transmission and distribution infrastructure will require continued investment and expansion to maintain reliable, low-cost supply while growing to meet new demand from hydrogen and other industries.”
READ the Full Report here: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/4knabnt2/texas-hydrogen-production-policy-council-report-1224.pdf