Have you heard about the industry’s new plans to continue to frack for gas in the region, this time using the cloak of “clean hydrogen” to mask the truth? The Appalachian Regional “Clean” Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2 is the term that they are using) was first proposed in 2023. The industry wants to create hydrogen from fracked gas (methane), and use it to do various things like power hydrogen fuel cell buses and heat homes. However, be aware that this issue impacts the entire area of Ohio, WV, and PA – not just Appalachia. Many people are learning the truth – the hub is not “clean”, as most of the hydrogen would be produced from natural gas, the hub will only continue to expose Appalachian communities to air and water pollution already present in our region from fracking. Buckeye Environmental Network is holding a webinar on January 7th at 6:00pm EST for the community to learn more about the hydrogen hub. We will discuss the main facts and concerns regarding the downsides and health impacts of the hydrogen production, and how the project does not even make sense economically.

Dr. Randi Pokladnik, PhD, environmental scientist and retired chemistry teacher and Eastern Ohio resident will be presenting the health and environmental impacts, and Sean O’Leary, a researcher with the Ohio River Valley Institute will discuss the economic impacts and how the region has already suffered economically from fracking.

They will also discuss the ARCH2 open house that is scheduled for Jan. 9th at Walsh University.