Oregon’s largest natural gas utility is once again drawing criticism from environmentalists and its customers over attempts to lower emissions by blending what it says is a low-emission fuel into its natural gas supply.
NW Natural launched in June a three-year pilot project that involves blending hydrogen and natural gas at its southeast Oregon facility and sending it to customers. The move has prompted a group of Oregon environmentalists, Portland architects, building contractors, physicians and customers to call on state leaders to stop the project.
Natural gas is almost entirely methane, a potent and planet-warming greenhouse gas that is responsible each year for 40% of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions and an estimated one-third of global climate change. Hydrogen, however, can be a zero-emissions fuel depending on how it’s produced. If blended with natural gas, it could lower…
