Greenhouse Gas Reductions – Hydrogen Roadmap
The AUC opened an inquiry on matters relating to hydrogen blending in natural gas distribution systems.
Following the Government of Alberta’s Hydrogen Roadmap, issued in November 2021, the AUC was directed to inquire into and report to the Minister of Energy on matters relating to hydrogen blending into natural gas distribution systems. The Hydrogen Roadmap recognized that the adoption of clean hydrogen has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with the province enabling hydrogen blending into natural gas distribution systems as one method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Scope of the AUC’s Hydrogen Inquiry
The AUC will gather information and make findings or provide observations on:
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the role of regulated natural gas distribution systems and unregulated competitive markets for hydrogen blending into natural gas distribution systems up to 20 percent blending by volume;
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the impacts of blended hydrogen into low-pressure natural gas distribution systems;
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the safe and reliable delivery of blended hydrogen through natural gas distribution systems, including potential harmonization with municipal or other relevant safety standards;
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addressing regulatory ambiguity, removing unnecessary regulatory barriers, and improving certainty as required to enable hydrogen blending into natural gas distribution systems; and
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areas for future study relating to hydrogen blending into natural gas distribution systems.
The AUC will explore critical issues related to hydrogen in natural gas distribution systems, including legislation, delivery of services to municipal and rural natural gas consumers, safety, blending standards and thresholds, rate impacts, and other issues.
Participation
The AUC decided that it will not determine standing in this proceeding, and parties may submit their written comments at the same time as they register to participate.
