On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) announced it was collaborating with KeyState Energy and CNX Resources Corp to create a hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel development facility.
The integrated facility can produce up to 68,000 metric tons of hydrogen annually, or up to 70 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) per year. The plant will be able to produce either product exclusively, or both products simultaneously at lower volumes. Building on CNX and PIT’s previously announced alternative fuel strategy in 2022, the new initiative will support national emission reduction goals by 2030, and position the region as a key player in the hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel industries.
“The aviation sector is at a pivotal point with unique opportunities transforming the entire industry,” Chris Heck, president & CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “Emission reduction and clean hydrogen requirements are being met with uses of aviation fuels and power being generated by the innovation of natural gas extraction… and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is leading the way.”
KeyState and CNX recently signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to advance a $1.5 billion project is expected to support 3,000 direct construction jobs, provided the U.S. Department of Treasury approves a pathway for ultra-low carbon intensity fugitive coal mine methane to be part of the 45V Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. Additionally, the partners are evaluating several potential market targets for the SAF and clean hydrogen.
“For more than 300 years, Pennsylvania and Appalachia have lived and led America’s energy transitions; first from wood to coal, then oil was added, then natural gas added, then nuclear, then the shale gas revolution and now the beginning of a next energy revolution, this in clean hydrogen,” Perry Babb, CEO of KeyState Energy, said. “The innovations contemplated for the PIT hydrogen and SAF Hub have the potential to produce the lowest-carbon, lowest-cost, large-scale aviation fuel in the world.”