Thursday, November 9, 2023

Has the EPA overestimated the timeline for us to get to net-zero in the utility power industry?

Happy Thursday!  It’s hard to believe the week is almost over!

Did anyone happen to read The Houston Chronicle’s Business Section on November 7, 2023, their article titled, “Is clean energy tech ready to scale up – Industry objects to federal implementation timeline”?  In the article, it goes on discuss clean hydrogen and carbon capture and how it isn’t ready for the utility scale we need in the ten-year timeline the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set for our net-zero emissions in the power industry. 

The EPA has been getting knocks from power utilities and grid operators and various other power sector groups, which includes Texas ERCOT and the Edison Electric Institution.  These groups argue the EPA hasn’t realistically estimated the cost to build out the industry which involves tens of thousands of miles of pipeline and plants.   Additionally, they need regulations in the books to make sure the respective industries contain the emissions underground.

The EPA claims the tax credits are enough to get the power industry going at a reasonable cost, and there are regulations on the books for carbon capture because it has been around for decades.  Some critics believe clearer guidance needs to come out of the EPA to get things on the right path and construction to increase exponentially.  The critics believe the EPA should have a contingency plan for the power industry because reality rarely aligns with the ideal situation.  The EPA has underestimated the timeline for developing these new tech industries because permitting is a lengthy process which we recently spoke about in our blog about there are no carbon capture projects approved at this time.  There are unknowns involved, if hydrogen can effectively mix in gas turbines, as proposed by the EPA.  These are just a couple of the problems the industry has with the new EPA rules for power plants.

In summary, the EPA has to be realistic in the construction and implementation timeline of new hydrogen and carbon capture utility-scale facilities, if we are going to meet our net-zero goals!  If you would like to read more of The Houston Chronicle’s article in PressReader.com, please click the link: PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint or just find out what is underneath your feet to help with your emission reduction goals, contact us via email in the blog and check out our ESC's website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great rest of your week!  Try and keep dry appears the rain and cool weather is moving in!

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