EDF, Dozens of Groups Ask EPA to Limit Pollution from Hydrogen Production

(Washington, D.C. – December 7, 2023) Environmental Defense Fund and almost six dozen other health, environmental and public interest groups are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to protect people from dangerous air pollution caused by producing hydrogen with fossil fuels. 

The groups sent a letter to EPA today asking the agency to develop standards to reduce pollution from hydrogen production facilities to “the greatest extent possible.” 

“Producing hydrogen with fossil fuels – sometimes called gray, blue, or brown hydrogen – causes large amounts of climate pollution and other hazardous pollutants that put people at risk,” said EDF attorney Edwin LaMair. “Hydrogen production facilities are often located in communities that are already facing harmful industrial pollution burdens, underscoring the need for strong enforceable standards.” 

Almost all the hydrogen currently produced in the U.S. comes from high-polluting fossil-based methods that emit large amounts of greenhouse gases that cause climate change, nitrogen oxides that contribute to smog, particulate pollution, volatile organic compounds, and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants are linked to heart and lung diseases, cancer, birth defects and premature death. 

EDF and allies formally petitioned EPA to develop Clean Air Act standards for fossil hydrogen facilities in September. 

You can read the full text of today’s letter here.