Zulene Mayfield : “Hydrogen Hub Projects: Community Health Concerns”

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HARRISBURG — The federal government, in collaboration with private developers, is currently seeking public feedback on two major hydrogen production networks set to be partially located in Pennsylvania. These projects are part of a multibillion-dollar initiative by the Biden administration aimed at reducing carbon pollution and combating climate change.

However, concerns have been raised by affected communities and environmental advocates who feel marginalized in the planning process for these extensive projects. There are worries that the emphasis on clean energy and job creation may overshadow potential health risks.

Zulene Mayfield, the leader of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, a group established over two decades ago to oppose waste disposal facilities linked to high levels of air pollution and associated health issues, expressed her apprehension. She highlighted the historical challenges faced by Black and brown communities when confronted with such development proposals.

Challenges in Chester

Part of the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub, known as MACH2, includes plans for pipelines, hydrogen production plants, and storage facilities in and around Chester. However, specific details regarding the environmental and health impacts of these facilities are not yet available.

Mayfield believes that the proposed project offers minimal benefits to the predominantly Black population of Chester, where a significant portion of residents live below the poverty line. She expressed skepticism about the benefits of the planned facility for the local community.

Hydrogen is a crucial clean-burning fuel essential for the federal government’s efforts to make high-emission industries, such as cement and steel production, more environmentally friendly. However, the process of hydrogen generation can also result in the release of climate-warming gases, depending on the production methods used.

Last autumn, the Biden administration announced a $1.6 billion investment in constructing two hydrogen hubs, with Pennsylvania being a partial location for both projects. These hubs are extensive networks of infrastructure designed to produce, store, and transport hydrogen and its byproducts.

The Department of Energy, overseeing the initiative, commenced information sessions in October 2023. While three public meetings on MACH2 have been held, developers are scheduled to host two additional sessions in the coming month.

Mayfield expressed dissatisfaction with the public engagement so far, pointing to a March session hosted by MACH2 developers in Philadelphia. She highlighted the exclusivity of the location and timing, raising concerns about accessibility for affected communities.

Developers have since reached out to Mayfield, who remains cautious but eager to gather more information about the project. Similarly, other residents living near proposed hub sites are awaiting detailed proposals from developers.

Transparency and Community Concerns

As the Biden administration advances the MACH2 and ARCH2 projects, residents and stakeholders are seeking more transparency regarding the exact locations of hub facilities, anticipated emissions, and potential disruptions to local habitats.

The development of the hydrogen hubs is expected to span approximately a decade, with the Department of Energy dividing the process into several phases. Developers are currently focused on formulating community benefits plans, which outline how they intend to accommodate and contribute to the affected areas.

While developers have the discretion to determine the details they disclose, there have been calls for greater transparency. Initial applications submitted to the Department of Energy, containing project timelines, environmental impact assessments, health impact projections, and cost estimates, were not made public.

Residents and advocates stress the importance of obtaining comprehensive information to understand the scope of the projects in order to incorporate community feedback effectively and make meaningful changes.

Health and Environmental Concerns

Communities and environmental advocates are particularly concerned about the health, safety, and environmental implications of the hydrogen hubs. Areas in southwestern and north-central Pennsylvania designated for ARCH2 facilities are situated on the Marcellus Shale, a region that has been a focal point of the state’s fracking activities.

Fracking, the process of extracting oil and gas by injecting water into the ground, has been associated with various health issues, including increased cancer rates, respiratory diseases, and birth defects.

Residents near the proposed ARCH2 facilities, which are expected to use natural gas for hydrogen production, are apprehensive about the potential risks to air and water quality in their communities. Concerns have been raised about carbon capture techniques and subsurface carbon dioxide storage, with uncertainties surrounding the long-term monitoring and safety of these operations.

As the projects progress, advocates are calling for greater clarity on the technologies and processes involved, emphasising the need for robust monitoring and safety measures to protect the well-being of local communities.

Environmental organisations and concerned residents are urging developers and regulatory bodies to prioritise transparency, community engagement, and comprehensive risk assessments to address the health and environmental challenges posed by the hydrogen hubs in Pennsylvania.

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