Houston ‘poised to become hydrogen hub’

A report from the research organisation Center for Houston’s Future (CHF) and the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), a chamber of commerce, has set forth a vision to transform Houston, Texas into a leading hub for hydrogen. The report claims that factors such as local demand drivers, existing hydrogen capacity and favourable geological resources add to the investment attractiveness of the region. However, recently, the Lone Star state has toughened its regulatory approach – warning companies that they could lose state contracts if they divest from fossil fuels. Presumably, if hydrogen is to be embraced as a strategic industry for attracting investments, the state's regulatory approach will need to pivot significantly, building on the set of factors that the report outlines.