Steel Mills
USS Exploring Carbon Capture, Hydrogen to Reduce Emissions
Written by Michael Cowden
June 30, 2021
U.S. Steel is studying the possibilities for deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) as well as hydrogen-based production as part of its efforts to decarbonize.
The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker is doing so via a non-exclusive memorandum of understanding with a U.S. subsidiary of Norwegian energy company Equinor ASA.
The effort will be centered in the Mon Valley and might run across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, the company said.
“The successful development of hydrogen and CCS technology in the tri-state region will require investment, cooperation, and exploration across political and perceived barriers,” Richard Fruehauf, U.S. Steel’s chief strategy and sustainability officer, said in a statement.
The study is part of the company’s effort to be “net-zero” in terms of carbon emissions by 2050.
U.S. Steel thinks combining natural gas with CCS could get it a long way toward reaching that goal. Hydrogen and renewable energy are also key to reaching the zero emissions milestone.
Anchoring the project in the Mon Valley is significant because U.S. Steel earlier this year scrapped plans for a $1.3-billion upgrade to its Mon Valley Works in western Pennsylvania.
It is also significant because U.S. Steel is joining a growing number of steelmakers – including Cleveland-Cliffs, SSAB and Algoma – that appear to be paying more than just lip service to the importance of reducing CO2 emissions, a key driver of climate change.
By Michael Cowden, Michael@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Michael Cowden
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