Several leading energy companies, and a steel manufacturer, have formed an alliance that they hope will usher in a decarbonized future for the Northern Appalachian Region.
Energy companies EQT Corporation, Equinor, GE Gas Power, Marathon Petroleum (including its affiliate MPLX), Mitsubishi Power, and Shell Polymers joined U.S. Steel said their alliance will work with stakeholders to create a low-carbon and hydrogen industrial hub in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The companies hope the hub can be a national model for sustainable energy and production systems.
“We look forward to working with other industry leaders to support the development of one or multiple low-carbon energy hubs in North Appalachia,” said Rob Wingo, EQT Corporation’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Ventures. “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.”
The companies said that implementing the industrial hub and its infrastructure development could generate thousands of new jobs, protect current jobs, and achieve significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.
The hub concept will focus on carbon capture, utilization, and storage, as well as hydrogen production and utilization, the companies said. Using a large-scale, regional approach will require new levels of public-private partnerships, which is why the alliance is developing a collaborative network that will directly engage organizations from industry, labor, academia, local and state government, the non-profit world to work toward those efforts.
“With an abundance of natural resources, industrial capabilities, and a highly-skilled workforce, the Appalachian region is poised to meet America’s energy needs while leading the transition to a low-carbon future,” said Chris Golden, Equinor U.S. Country Manager. “Equinor is committed to achieving net zero emissions, and we’re proud to work together with this alliance of ambitious companies to realize this opportunity.”