The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy & Management is presenting its second “Harnessing Hydrogen: Exploring Local & Regional Opportunities in Appalachia” seminar on October 17.

Richard Negrin, secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, will be among the speakers at this morning-long, in-person-only seminar on the W&J campus, Yost Auditorium, 60 S. Lincoln St., Washington, PA from 8:30 a.m. to Noon.

It will explore the development of hydrogen energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS), provide an update on efforts to attract a federally-funded clean hydrogen and carbon capture hub in the region, dig deeper into CCS developments, and discuss how the development of these technologies and a hydrogen hub could transform the region’s economy.

Adam Walters, senior advisor with the Department of Community and Economic Development, will provide an update on the Decarbonization Network of Appalachia Hydrogen Hub (DNA H2) proposal that is seeking a portion of $8 billion in federal funding for the development of a clean hydrogen hub and is supported by the state and a consortium of regional organizations and businesses.

“Harnessing Hydrogen” will also feature three-panel discussions on hydrogen energy in Appalachia, the latest developments in carbon capture and sequestration, and how the development of these technologies and the development of a hydrogen hub could transform the region’s economy.

A number of economic, regulatory, and technological challenges to development and deployment exist, and local and regional governmental bodies lack a knowledge base to assess the costs and benefits of the burgeoning industry.

In addition to Negrin and Walters, panelists will include--

-- Tim Fout, senior research engineer in carbon capture at the National Energy Technology Laboratory;

-- Mike Butler, Mid-Atlantic Region Director of the Consumer Energy Alliance;

-- Kristin Carter, assistant state geologist with the DCNR Bureau of Geological Survey;

-- Michael Docherty, executive director of Appalachian Energy Future;

-- Grant Ervin, director of ESG and innovation for the city of Pittsburgh;

-- Joy Ruff, executive director of the Local Government Academy;

-- Richard Cleveland, Greene County economic development director, and others.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held on Tuesday, October 17, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Yost Auditorium on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. A light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

The seminar is approved for Continuing Legal Education in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. Contact the Washington County Bar Association at wcba@washcobar.org for information.

The Multimedia sponsor for the seminar is True Fit Marketing and the Washington County Bar Association is a participating sponsor.

Click Here to register.  Click Here for more information.

[Posted: October 3, 2023]

10/9/2023