Residents in St Rose, Louisiana are facing a new environmental threat as a “clean” hydrogen and ammonia plant is proposed in their community. The plant, owned by St Charles Clean Fuels (SCCF), claims to capture and sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) to make its ammonia cleaner. However, scientists have debunked industry claims about the climate benefits of “blue” hydrogen and ammonia, pointing out that the process still relies on fossil fuels, emitting greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants.
Despite concerns from residents and environmental advocates, the Biden administration and Louisiana state government are pushing for carbon capture and hydrogen projects as part of their climate goals. These projects, including the proposed ammonia plant in St Rose, risk further pollution and perpetuating the use of fossil fuels.
Critics argue that carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is inefficient and unproven as a reliable solution to combat climate change. The history of CCS has been plagued by underperformance and unmet expectations, with concerns about the technology’s ability to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Residents in St Rose fear the consequences of another polluting facility in their community, which already suffers from poor air quality and high cancer rates. With mounting climate impacts, such as extreme heat and intense hurricanes, the push for more fossil fuel infrastructure in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” is concerning for environmental justice advocates.
Despite industry claims and government support for CCS and hydrogen projects, critics warn that these initiatives may only benefit the oil and gas industries while endangering communities and perpetuating climate change. Residents like Kimbrelle Eugene Kyereh continue to advocate for their community’s health and well-being, raising questions about the true impact of these proposed projects.
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