News & Commentary

Proposed Hydrogen Guidance Is Strong. But Backsliding Looms.

January 12, 2024 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry, Erik Kamrath

Proposed federal rules for hydrogen production will avoid dire climate and consumer impacts. But some industry groups and policymakers aim to weaken them.

Hubs Rollout Underscores Need for Climate-aligned Policies

October 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesPete Budden, Rachel Fakhry

For the sake of the climate and communities, DOE and the selected hubs must redouble their focus on truly clean production and high value end-uses.

New Analysis: The 3 Pillars Will Support Large Hydrogen Deployment

June 20, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry

New study finds that clean hydrogen deployment under the 3 pillars is nearly identical compared to loose rules, while avoiding huge amounts of carbon pollution. This crumbles claims that the 3 pillars will kill the industry in the crib.

IRA Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit: Debunking Five Myths

April 24, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesPete Budden, Rachel Fakhry

New evidence is in: The case for the three pillars is ironclad.

"Hydrogen-Ready" LNG Infrastructure: An Uncertain Way Forward

February 14, 2023 Expert BlogInternationalAde Samuel, Rachel Fakhry

It's important to discuss what “hydrogen-ready" actually means (and what it doesn’t) in the context of LNG and the implications of proposed transitions in Europe and Asia.

Hydrogen Hubs Are the Face of America’s Hydrogen Rollout

January 10, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry

We outline key principles for climate-aligned hydrogen hubs.

Key IRA Program Can Help Drive Transformation in Steelmaking

December 21, 2022 Expert BlogUnited StatesJackie Wong, Rachel Fakhry, Sasha Stashwick

As OCED prepares to invite applications for funding, NRDC and our partners have urged the office to focus on “first few,” high-impact demonstration projects in critical industrial sectors like cement, steel, and chemicals.

Success of IRA Hydrogen Tax Credit Hinges on IRS and DOE

December 8, 2022 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry

The United States could quickly become one the most lucrative markets for the nascent clean hydrogen industry.

New Climate Law Is a Game-Changer for U.S. Heavy Industry

September 1, 2022 Expert BlogUnited StatesSasha Stashwick, Rachel Fakhry, Christina Theodoridi

IRA Hydrogen Incentives: Climate Hit or Miss? TBD.

August 22, 2022 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry

The climate benefit of the IRA hydrogen tax incentives is not guaranteed. It will all depend on implementation. Let’s do this right.

Tepid Clean Energy Innovation Funding in FY22 Omnibus

March 23, 2022 Expert BlogUnited StatesMatthew Ko, Rachel Fakhry

Congress's recently passed package is a modest step forward for climate action relative to FY21 and includes increases in funding for several key clean energy innovation programs at the U.S. Department of Energy.

2022: Hydrogen Beta Testing Must Ensure Climate-Alignment

December 20, 2021 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry

Here is a snapshot of the key federal efforts that we’ll be closely following over the next year.

New Mexico's Hydrogen Hub Needs Climate Guardrails

October 27, 2021 Expert BlogNew MexicoNoah Long, Rachel Fakhry, Jacqueline Ennis

New Mexico's hydrogen hub effort must be accompanied by a more comprehensive climate legislation package, which is New Mexico’s best chance to cut emissions and promote long-term economic stability, as well as policy guardrails to mitigate the risks of hydrogen…

UN Guiding Principles: Redressing the Hydrogen Train Tracks

October 27, 2021 Expert BlogInternational, United StatesRachel Fakhry

Hydrogen has the potential to play a pivotal role in supporting global climate goals; but with an overeager rush to deployment, it could become a climate problem.

Hydrogen in Buildings: The Poster Child of Tech-Crastination

September 7, 2021 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry, Merrian Borgeson

Tech-crastination is an appropriate characterization of the gas industry’s claims around the suitability of hydrogen as a solution to decarbonize buildings, even though heating homes with hydrogen is one of the least-efficient and most costly options available.

The U.S. Must Commit to Cutting Emissions by at Least Half

March 29, 2021 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry

A strong 2030 NDC pledge will put millions of Americans to work every year, avoid tens of thousands of premature deaths, help ward off a climate catastrophe, and mobilize global action.

We Must Start Investing in Demand Flexibility Today

January 14, 2021 Expert BlogRachel Fakhry

To stave off the worst effects of the climate crisis, we must urgently transition from polluting fossil fuels to emissions-free energy. Demand flexibility—shifting electricity consumption to coincide with times when electricity is clean and cheap—is quickly becoming a necessary pillar…

Green Hydrogen: Let’s Get It Right From the Start

December 16, 2020 Expert BlogInternationalRachel Fakhry

This year saw a slew of global hydrogen announcements that earned it the title of “hottest new tech on the decarbonization block.”

“Green” Hydrogen: Critical to Powering a Carbon-Free Future

August 6, 2020 Expert BlogRachel Fakhry, Robert Harding

“Green” hydrogen is quickly emerging as a key resource to enable the world to meet the 1.5C climate target. It’s time for America to join the burgeoning global movement and unlock the potential.

AEO 2020: Renewables Clinch Power Sector

February 7, 2020 Expert BlogRachel Fakhry, Robert Harding

Renewable energy races ahead of coal and gas in the United States--but to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement more policy action is needed.