What is hydrogen energy, and is it a key to fighting climate change?

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CBS News or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: In a significant move towards fostering green energy solutions, the Biden administration has pledged a substantial $7 billion investment to create seven regional hydrogen hubs across the country
• The hubs will serve as epicenters for hydrogen production, research, and innovation

🔭 The context: The U.S. government recognizes clean hydrogen as a vital step towards reducing dependency on fossil fuels and attaining its target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
• Hydrogen is the most abundant element, both on earth and in the universe, forming compounds when combined with other elements such as oxygen and carbon

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Although hydrogen holds the potential of a carbon-free energy carrier, its current production, predominantly from fossil fuels, raises environmental concerns due to greenhouse gas emissions
• The emphasis is now on cleaner production methods, notably green hydrogen, which utilizes electricity from renewable sources

⏭️ What's next: A significant challenge in promoting hydrogen as a clean energy source is the cost of hydrogen production
• In the following years, the Biden administration aspires to cut these costs by 80%, targeting $1 per kilogram by 2030

💬 One quote: "Making hydrogen from natural gas means leftover carbon dioxide needs to be captured and safety stored in perpetuity, and methane emissions much be controlled more effectively than they are today." (Beth Trask, Environmental Defense Fund)

📈 One stat: The U.S. produces over 10 million metric tons of hydrogen annually, which equates to the energy in the petroleum fuel consumed yearly by commercial vehicles like light-trucks, buses, and passenger trains combined

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