- North Korea blows up roads, rails to South
- Thomas Tuchel set to be unveiled as new England manager - reports
- Russia working to undermine Moldova vote: US
- Trump says 'obnoxious' tariffs will bring factories to US
- Russia, China step up cybercriminal recruitment, warns Microsoft
- Kylian Mbappe 'shocked' to see name linked to Swedish rape investigation - lawyer to AFP
- Giant pandas flown to US from China aboard 'Panda Express'
- Sri Lanka level T20 series with record-breaking West Indies win
- French footballer Ben Yedder on trial for sexual assault
- India foreign minister in arch-rival Pakistan for rare visit
- Restored 'Apollo Belvedere' marble back on show in the Vatican
- Lagos festival dances to Nigerian icon Fela Kuti's beat
- Italian PM hails 'courageous' Albania migrant deal
- 'Tragedy in Jabalia' as Israel army tightens siege in north Gaza
- Draft UN climate pact leaves open thorny question of money
- Two giant pandas arrive in US from China aboard 'Panda Express'
- Musiala and Upamecano return to Bayern training
- Wirtz return 'unclear' after injury on Germany duty
- Ghulam says 'wait is over' after century on Pakistan debut
- Boeing to raise up to $25 bn as strike weighs on finances
- Two giant pandas arrive in US from China
- Japan hold Australia, S. Korea and China win in World Cup qualifying
- Mbappe's golden-boy image takes a hit amid negative headlines
- Hezbollah threatens to attack targets across Israel
- Oil prices fall on easing Middle East fears
- Wales lock Jenkins to miss November Tests with 'horrible' injury lay-off
- France to play Israel in Paris and allow fans in
- Twin panda cubs to make public debut at Berlin zoo
- Scotland's Kinghorn maintains Lions 'dream' despite Toulouse clash
- Pakistan debutant Ghulam hits century to defy England in second Test
- Boeing announces intention to raise up to $25 bn
- Tuchel 'in talks with FA' over England manager's job
- Dutch rider Lavreysen targets record at world track championships
- Bangladesh suspend Hathurusingha as coach after alleged assault
- Russian Olympic chief announces surprise resignation
- Ferguson to leave Man Utd ambassador role as club cuts costs
- Turkish govt defends tax plan to fund defence industry
- Oil prices tumble on easing Middle East fears
- Eidevall quits as Arsenal Women head coach
- US, Philippines launch war games after China's Taiwan drills, ship collision
- Swedish prosecutor confirms 'rape' probe without naming Mbappe
- England dismiss Ayub but Pakistan reach 173-3 at tea in second Test
- Israel vows to put 'national interest' first in response to Iran attack
- Oil prices hit by easing Middle East fears, most Asian markets rise
- Mbappe-PSG salary row faces hearing as France captain cited in 'rape' report
- K-pop star tells South Korea lawmakers of workplace bullying
- Ex-Wallabies captain Elsom denies wrongdoing after arrest warrant
- Pakistan 79-2 at lunch in second England Test after Leach strikes
- Hopes pinned on peace across Taiwan Strait after drills
- Valencia fans leave Singapore with 'stern warning' after protest
RBGPF | 1.67% | 60.5 | $ | |
CMSD | 0.62% | 25.135 | $ | |
CMSC | 0.52% | 24.82 | $ | |
AZN | -0.26% | 77.9 | $ | |
RELX | 1.8% | 48.25 | $ | |
NGG | 0.4% | 67.16 | $ | |
RIO | -1.48% | 66.715 | $ | |
GSK | -0.25% | 39.034 | $ | |
RYCEF | 0.28% | 7.05 | $ | |
BCC | 0.95% | 144.35 | $ | |
SCS | 0.92% | 13.1 | $ | |
JRI | -0.47% | 13.025 | $ | |
BCE | 2.79% | 33.495 | $ | |
BP | -3.86% | 30.8 | $ | |
BTI | -0.04% | 35.435 | $ | |
VOD | -0.26% | 9.655 | $ |
Biden unveils 'hydrogen hubs' in push for 2024
President Joe Biden announced new "hydrogen hubs" across the United States on Friday as part of efforts to boost the economy with green energy ahead of the 2024 election.
"I'm here to announce one of the largest advanced manufacturing investments in the history of this nation -- $7 billion in federal investments is going to attract $40 billion in private investment in clean hydrogen power," Biden said.
The 80-year-old Democrat traveled to Philadelphia to unveil the regions that won a bidding war for billions of dollars in funding to make the clean fuel, including a number in electoral battleground states.
The aim of the hubs is to produce around three million metric tons of clean hydrogen a year, amounting to one third of the US production goal for 2030, and reduce emissions.
"Taken together, the emission reductions from these hydrogen hubs will be the equivalent of taking 5.5 million gas powered vehicles off the road," Biden said.
Biden, who is neck and neck with his likely rival next year, Republican Donald Trump, has made green energy a key part of his "Bidenomics" plan to revive US industry and create jobs.
Hydrogen power is a key component of his goal to combat the climate crisis and get the United States to "net zero" emissions from pollutants no later than 2050, he said.
The huge funding boost will go to large-scale hydrogen production, the pipelines to transport it, and help industries and businesses adapt to using the fuel.
The hubs are to be in California; Texas; the US east coast; the Midwest; the Pacific Northwest; the Appalachian mountain region in the northeast; the northern states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.
Two of the states involved -- Pennsylvania in the eastern region and Michigan in the Midwest -- were crucial swing states in the 2020 election when Biden beat Trump, and are likely to be again next year.
- Fossil fuel worry -
Some non-profit groups expressed concern that the latest initiative could perpetuate harms from fossil fuels.
The Union of Concerned Scientists warned in a statement that the hubs announcement "advances multiple projects premised on fossil fuel-based hydrogen production and risky hydrogen end uses."
US authorities must set rigorous criteria "to ensure the development of a hydrogen industry that is unequivocally aligned with our climate objectives," said Julie McNamara, deputy policy director of the group's climate and energy program.
Lauren Pagel, policy director at another nonprofit, Earthworks, charged that prioritizing hydrogen hubs "is more about extending the life of oil & gas companies than addressing the climate crisis."
Frontline communities should have a chance to "meaningfully engage and shape the selected hub proposals," Pagel added.
The hydrogen hubs are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes $65 billion in clean energy investments at the Department of Energy.
Biden has pledged to increase production capacity for low- and zero-carbon emission sources, which are known as "blue" and "green" hydrogen.
Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas in which the carbon dioxide from the manufacturing process is captured. Green hydrogen is produced through renewable sources.
F.Schneider--AMWN