Utah’s First Hydrogen Station opens the Southwestern United States
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Contact:
Tammie Bostick, Utah Clean Cities Coalition,
801-580-1922, tammie.bostick@utahcleancities.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Utah’s First Hydrogen Station opens the Southwestern United States
August 10th, 2022 – Bluff, Utah
Big Navajo Energy and Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Company today launched a new clean energy project which will demonstrate the transition from heavy emitting fossil fuels by utilizing Linde technology hydrogen production. Linde technology is one of the world’s leading industrial gasses and engineering companies, including technology for the full spectrum of hydrogen production. This undertaking was supported by Utah’s hydrogen steering committee, Big Navajo Energy, Lancer Energy, Utah Inland Port Authority, and Utah Clean Cities.
Big Navajo Energy (BNE) hydrogen development in Southern Utah on the Navajo Nation reservation addresses the number of severe impacts from the fossil fuel industry. By providing sustainable clean energy solutions with hydrogen production. BNE, with Linde technology, will significantly reduce emissions from natural gas flaring and stranded oil from the Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Company (NNOGC). With this new clean energy solution, Navajo Nation’s current oil productions in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona will result in improved air quality, reduced haze, a better quality of life, and improved health. BNE will support hydrogen fuel cells or turbines; as a result, hydrogen is a zero-emission fuel source for power generation. The new hydrogen transportation sectors will be available soon in the Navajo Nation.
This new clean energy resource will support the Navajo Nation’s interest in low-carbon energy opportunities”, said Dory Peters, President of Big Navajo Energy, LLC. “A hydrogen production facility will offer a clean, zero-emission alternative in the form of hydrogen fuel. Our development directly impacts the local economy through competitive jobs and improved quality of life. Still, it will also support the State of Utah in achieving its climate change goals and the Navajo Nation’s transition toward a sustainable clean energy economy.”
“For our renewable and sustainable future, hydrogen is the clean solution to many hard-to-decarbonize industries and energy uses currently relying on liquid fossil fuels,” said Executive Vice President of Lancer Energy, Free Reyes. “The vision that Dory Peters, CEO of Big Navajo Energy had of using flare and stranded natural gas to convert into hydrogen is innovative and industry-leading. Taking natural gas that would have been burned for air quality compliance is being turned into clean energy for vehicles and microgrids. What an amazing project to see in Bluff, Utah on Navajo land. This unique collaboration between Big Navajo Energy, Navajo Oil & Gas, Linde, and the Navajo Nation is the first of many more hydrogen projects in Utah.”
Utah’s hydrogen steering committee is being organized by Utah Clean Cities intends to support important clean energy and fuels projects in Utah and the surrounding western region. Over 30 years of legacy work with state-side clean fuels, positioned Utah Clean Cities to become key convener of stakeholder relationships including private industry, policy makers and the emerging Utah Inland Port Authority.
“Utah has demonstrated something like a clean fuels revolution with hydrogen. I would say today, all eyes are on Utah and what we do next is our leadership tomorrow. Utah’s hydrogen stakeholders are defining the future of clean fuels now by using new state-of-the-art technologies from dedicated sources of renewable feedstocks, such as landfill gas, methane recapture and a Utah-based project using biochar” stated the Executive Director of Utah Clean Cities, Tammie Bostick. “We are turning climate devastating greenhouse gas emissions into clean energy fuels. As someone who constantly thinks of transportation fuel solutions, to me, this strategy makes good sense for the environment and the economy of Utah.”
Utah is positioned to benefit enormously from Utah’s Inland Port Authority commitment to using hydrogen as a clean fuel with their pilot Project Beehive. Utah sees over 30% of all freight coming in from seven pacific ports shipping goods across the entire nation. Utah is at the crossroads of the west. This means high volumes of trucking and freight are traveling Utah’s rural and urban corridors. The freight transportation sector takes a massive amount of fuel, and most of that fuel is diesel at this point in time. Freight movement is the lifeblood of the economy and it is moving to decarbonize as rapidly as possible. The infrastructure necessary to support that translation must be a priority.
“Our key partners continue to come to Utah’s ‘hydrogen round table’ as we innovate freight movement, clean fuels, and logistics. Utah is leading this important energy sector transition and demonstrates with our commitment to support hydrogen production, storage, fueling sites and of course the off-takers who will use the fuel. We are making world history in Utah today with our legislative leadership, state commitments and industry investment,” said Jack Hedge, President, Utah Inland Port Authority.
Visit https://utahcleancities.org/hydrogen/ to learn more about Utah’s hydrogen future and how Utah is leading the way.
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About Utah Clean Cities Coalition: Utah Clean Cities exists to support organizations and fleets in their efforts to contribute to clean air by reducing vehicle emissions. Through the promotion of alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and fuel economy strategies, the coalition has worked to ease concerns about volatile gas prices and rising public and environmental health issues. Working closely with the federal and state government, as well as its stakeholders, UCC leverages its resources to bring funding into Utah to support the development and deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure and vehicles. www.utahcleancities.org