DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets June 11 To Hear About Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, Ag-Grid Energy, More On Electronics Waste Recycling

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on June 11 to hear presentations on the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, Ag-Grid Energy and more on electronics waste recycling..

Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley is on the agenda to give an update on agency activities.

DEP also provided the Council with a written monthly report.

Click Here for a copy of the entire Council agenda.

Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub

The Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub [MACH2] will address hydrogen-driven decarbonization in the Mid-Atlantic while repurposing historic oil infrastructure and using existing rights-of-way.

The region includes Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

It plans to develop renewable hydrogen production facilities from renewable and nuclear electricity using both established and innovative electrolyzer technologies, where it can help reduce costs and drive further technology adoption.

As part of its labor and workforce commitments to the community, the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub plans to negotiate Project Labor Agreements for all projects and provide close to $14 million for regional Workforce Development Boards that will serve as partners for community college training and pre-apprenticeships.

This Hydrogen Hub anticipates creating 20,800 direct jobs—14,400 in construction jobs and 6,400 permanent jobs.

Visit the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub website for more information.

Ag-Grid Energy

The Chester County-based Ag-Grid Energy organization promotes dairy farm sustainability by converting agricultural and organic waste to energy, enhancing nutrient management practices thereby improving farm viability and financial stability.

Dr. Rashi Akki, the company founder, is a chemical engineer. She left her 20-year career at DuPont with deep experience in industrial biosciences and renewable energy.

Dr. Akki wanted to bring anaerobic digestion to the U.S., but only if she could do it in a new way that would make the process carbon negative. 

The European process created significant carbon emissions because its digesters used only 10% cow manure; the other 90% came from corn and hay crops grown and fermented strictly for use as biofuel.

Ag-Grid was the first – and remains the only – developer to share profits with farmers.

Click Here for a copy of the Ag-Grid Energy presentation.

Electronics Recycling

The Council will hear a presentation from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on that state’s electronics waste recycling program.

Public Comment Period

Individuals interested in providing public comment during the meeting must sign up in advance of the meeting by contacting Ian Irvin at iirvin@pa.gov. 

The Council encourages the submission of a written copy of public comments prior to the meeting so that they can be shared with CAC members in advance.

Joining The Meeting

The Council will meet in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 12:30 p.m. 

Click Here to join the meeting via Microsoft Teams [Meeting ID: 213 923 892 542 Passcode: S8VcXe ] or Call-in #: +1 267-332-8737 Conference ID #: 262 850 111# .

For available handouts and more information, visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage.  Questions should be directed to Ian Irvin, Executive Director, iirvin@pa.gov.

[Posted: June 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest