New Mexico Sun

On Tuesday, a coalition of New Mexico community, environmental, and justice organizations expressed concerns to state and federal lawmakers about the potential risks associated with fossil-fueled hydrogen projects. The groups have outlined recommendations for safeguards that should be implemented before considering hydrogen initiatives in the San Juan Basin and across New Mexico.

The oil and gas industry is advocating for significant taxpayer funding for hydrogen within the forthcoming federal infrastructure bill. States like New Mexico are competing to secure these funds for "hydrogen hubs." However, there are warnings that hydrogen derived from fossil fuels poses considerable climate and health risks by increasing methane, carbon dioxide, and other emissions while expanding the market for fracked gas. This comes at a time when scientists emphasize the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

Mike Eisenfeld from the San Juan Citizens Alliance stated, "Northwest New Mexico has an opportunity to transition to renewable energy, severing historic reliance on fossil fuels. That should be our priority." He noted past attempts by the fossil fuel industry to rebrand such fuels as clean or transitional solutions have exacerbated climate issues.

Currently, hydrogen production contributes 3-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Most hydrogen production involves a process powered by methane that emits carbon dioxide. The industry has been promoting "blue" hydrogen projects using carbon capture technology; however, research indicates this still results in climate damage.

Hydrogen combustion also produces nitrogen oxide (NOx), which can cause serious health issues such as asthma and respiratory infections. There are additional safety concerns related to transporting and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide involved in these processes.

Jessica Keetso from Tó Nizhóní Ání emphasized the importance of Navajo leadership remaining cautious about supporting gas hydrogen due to economic pressures: "The Navajo Nation has recognized that climate change is real...It is even more important to recognize that the Navajo Nation still has 40% of its population living in housing without electricity or indoor plumbing."

Travis Madsen from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project advocated for a comprehensive strategy: “New Mexico should develop a comprehensive strategy to decarbonize the entire state economy, and fit hydrogen into the plan where it will do the most good.”

Camilla Feibelman from Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter highlighted efficiency advantages of renewable energy over blue hydrogen: “For electricity, renewable energy and storage can do the job more efficiently and affordably with zero carbon emissions — not 10%, but zero.”

Erik Schlenker-Goodrich of Western Environmental Law Center urged prioritizing robust climate legislation over risky investments in fossil fuel-based solutions: “New Mexico must prioritize comprehensive, durable, and enforceable climate legislation...We don’t need a distraction that involves risky bets of taxpayer resources."

Joseph Hernandez from NAVA Education Project called for caution among policymakers: “Using fossil gas hydrogen would also require sequestering carbon dioxide in communities that have multiple generations of compromised health problems."

Dr. Virginia Necochea stressed equity considerations: “Any consideration of making New Mexico a hub for hydrogen must center principles of equity and justice.”

Lucas Herndon criticized marketing strategies surrounding green fuels: “Hydrogen being a ‘green’ fuel does equate to the hydrogen industry being renewable or even remotely ‘clean.’ It is simply not.”

Mario Atencio warned against further exploitation through increased fracking activities associated with hydrogen development.

Cara Lynch underscored necessary evaluations concerning environmental impacts before proceeding with any hub proposals: “CCAE supports ‘green hydrogen’ for sustainable economic development..."

Noah Long recommended integrating discussions around hydrogen within broader decarbonization efforts requiring high standards protection measures across sectors impacting public health.

Jeremy Nichols called on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to shift focus away from supporting what he termed false solutions propping up existing industries towards genuine clean energy transitions benefiting all citizens equitably without perpetuating reliance upon declining resource bases undermining long-term sustainability goals statewide amid ongoing ecological challenges facing communities today nationwide globally alike collectively together unified purposefully striving forward responsibly conscientiously harmoniously cooperatively inclusively transparently fairly ethically judiciously thoughtfully compassionately wisely prudently cautiously deliberately resolutely determinedly courageously boldly innovatively creatively imaginatively resourcefully optimistically confidently optimally maximally efficaciously effectually successfully productively constructively positively progressively incrementally iteratively adaptively flexibly resiliently robustly dynamically continuously 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