Energy firms EQT Corporation, Equinor, GE Gas Power, Marathon Petroleum and Mitsubishi Power, along with Shell Polymers and U. S. Steel have formed an alliance, which will lead the decarbonizing of the industrial base in the Northern Appalachian Region of the U.S.
The alliance, facilitated by non-profit organization IN-2-Market, will establish a low-carbon and hydrogen industrial hub in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This hub could be a national model for sustainable energy and production systems. The hub may create new jobs and help achieve a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions.
The hub concept will focus on carbon capture, utilization & storage (CCUS) and hydrogen production and utilization. The alliance will establish a collaborative network of the various industries, communities, research institutions, non-profit organizations, the government, and labor and involve them in these efforts.
“Our region has an abundant source of low-cost, low emissions-intensive natural gas which can be converted to low-carbon fuels and used to reduce our country’s carbon footprint. At EQT, we see a significant opportunity to expand beyond our existing business by leveraging this advantage to develop low-carbon fuel production and CCUS opportunities,” explained Rob Wingo, EQT Corporation’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Ventures.
Bill Newsom, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Power, said, “Developing a hydrogen hub in the Tri-State Region will be critical to achieving the aggressive net zero carbon goals. Mitsubishi Power realizes that we need to assemble teams with complementary expertise across the public and private sectors. This new alliance creates a collaborative network bringing together diverse companies and groups to solve one of the toughest challenges our industry is facing. Together with our customers and partners, we are creating a Change in Power.”
Richard Fruehauf, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, added, “As U. S. Steel builds momentum toward our ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the opportunity to establish a low-carbon industrial hub in this region is cause for optimism. This Tri-State region has incredible assets, not only a highly skilled and experienced workforce, but also world-class universities, national laboratories and deep-rooted industrial capabilities.”
