Air Products and Chemicals Inc, the developer of a $4.5B hydrogen project in parishes around Baton Rouge, is in a legal battle with Livingston and St. Helena parish governments in a case analysts say could preview conflicts across the country. Air Products announced it would build a Louisiana Clean Energy Complex across multiple parishes. One site would make hydrogen out of natural gas, capturing up to 95 percent of the resulting carbon dioxide emissions - called “blue” production. The captured carbon would then be piped into an underground storage facility beneath Lake Maurepas, which borders a protected swamp. The plans drew the backing of Louisiana’s Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, who had mandated scaling greenhouse gas emissions down to net zero by 2050. In October, Livingston Parish approved a one-year moratorium on well-drilling and seismic testing. “Everybody feels like it was a backdoor deal to be forced down our throats,” said Jeff Ard, a Livingston council member. On Oct. 18, Air Products sued the parish in District Court arguing the moratorium was preempted by state and federal law. Neighboring St. Helena Parish also passed ordinances barring Class VI injection wells used to store CO2. The case underscores a nationwide fight over carbon dioxide storage, pipelines and blue hydrogen. In several Midwestern states, planned carbon pipelines are being targeted by local landowners and climate activists (Energywire, Nov. 3). The U.S. has one hydrogen production site that captures CO2 in high volumes - Air Products’ facility in Port Arthur, Texas. But a wave of new proposals for hydrogen and carbon infrastructure is likely on the way. (Energy Wire 11/16/22) La. legal showdown may preview national battle over hydrogen - E&E News (eenews.net)
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