Carbon dioxide pipelines: a dangerous part of Appalachia’s proposed carbon capture boondoggle
On a February evening in 2020, a carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline ruptured near Satartia, Mississippi, causing a plume of CO2 to engulf the community. Within minutes, dozens of residents collapsed in their homes and vehicles. Cars stalled, including emergency vehicles trying to reach the scene. The incident hospitalized 45 Satartia residents and forced 200 to […]
What is a hydrogen hub?
In July 2024, the US Department of Energy officially awarded $30 million to the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, or ARCH2, the first tranche of a total $925 million allocated for its development. The funding announcement marked the first concrete step toward the construction of the hub, which will primarily produce “blue” hydrogen made from […]
Hydrogen 101
Recently, a new form of energy has generated lots of buzz in the Ohio River Valley and across the country: hydrogen. The federal government is pouring billions of dollars into new hydrogen “hubs” that would bring large-scale production to our region and several others across the country. Fossil fuel companies bill hydrogen as the “clean” […]
Tipping Point
Key Takeaways: Carbon capture & sequestration (CCS) is a still unproven and spectacularly expensive decarbonization technology that may have value in industrial sectors that have no other viable decarbonization options. The power generating sector is a very appealing target for CCS proponents because coal and gas-fired power plants produce well over half of all point […]
The peril, politics, and price of fracking waste
Presidential candidate Kamala Harris recently announced that, if elected, she would not ban fracking, re-igniting a debate that has roiled national politics again and again. Her new position seems to be based on the mistaken belief that fracking enjoys public support, when, in fact, an array of public opinion research shows that a clear majority […]
Another Gas Pipeline Expansion Could Drive More Fracking in Appalachia’s Gas Reserves
A new plan to expand a New England gas pipeline would drive more fracking in Appalachia’s colossal gas reserves. “Project Maple” is a proposal by the Canadian energy company Enbridge to expand its Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline by 25%, or 750 million cubic feet (MMcf) per day. Originally constructed in 1954 and with a current […]
RISE PA to Slash Pennsylvania’s Industrial Emissions with $396M in EPA Funding
On behalf of the Clean Power PA Coalition, a group of more than 40 clean energy, conservation, and community organizations committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s environment and powering its economy through clean energy, we’re thrilled—but not surprised—that the EPA has recognized the vast potential to cut harmful pollution and create new jobs in Pennsylvania’s “Reducing Industrial […]
As the Dept. of Justice nears a settlement with Norfolk Southern, full compensation for impacted East Palestine residents is “nearly impossible.”
Nearly a year and a half since a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous petrochemical materials derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, sparking one of the worst environmental disasters in US history, community members are calling on the Department of Justice to hold a public hearing for the agency’s proposed settlement with Norfolk Southern. According to the […]
The greatest hydrogen risk facing Pennsylvania policymakers
Lately we hear a great deal about hydrogen’s environmental and economic promise. But hydrogen deployment also carries risks, not just for health and safety, but economic risks, including higher prices, taxes, and utility bills along with little potential for job growth. That’s why I joined the Pennsylvania House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee’s recent hearing […]
Appalachia’s power plants by net generation and capacity factor
In all, the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have 85 non-peaker coal and gas-fired power plants with capacities of 100 MW or greater. The following chart lists the plants alphabetically and indicates each plant’s owner, location, start date, nameplate capacity, fuel, 2023 generation, and 2023 capacity factor.