US, EU to make new gas infrastructure hydrogen-ready
The EU is looking to source an extra 15bn m3 of LNG this year from the US and even more in the future, but any new gas infrastructure that is built as part of the plan will be hydrogen-ready, the two sides said on March 25.
In a joint statement, the European Commission and the White House said they would set up a special task force as part of efforts to reduce the EU's reliance on Russian gas with the help of LNG. But mindful of climate commitments, they will strive to "reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of all new LNG infrastructure and associated pipelines, including through the use of clean energy to power onsite operations, the reduction of methane leakage, and the construction of clean and renewable hydrogen ready infrastructure."
The two sides also agreed on "collaborating to advance the production and use of clean and renewable hydrogen to displace unabated fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions, including by investing in technology development and supporting infrastructure." They will also work together on curbing EU gas consumption.