Staff Writer
CLARINGTON — Mountaineer NGL Storage LLC is exploring green options for its Appalachian Storage Hub in Monroe County.
The natural gas storage facility is gauging interest in the possibility of storing carbon-free hydrogen in its new storage hub near Clarington in Monroe County. The company announced its interest in green hydrogen storage earlier this month and is looking to see if there is a market for it in the local region. The initiative comes after Long Ridge Energy Terminal announced its plans to convert its Hannibal power plant to a green hydrogen fuel source.
David Hooker, CEO and president of Mountaineer, said the exploration is in support of the power generation market move toward green energy solutions, including that of Long Ridge Energy Terminal, being developed at the former Ormet Corp. aluminum production site. Hooker said Long Ridge Energy Terminal had reached out to the storage company to inquire if it would be willing and able to store hydrogen; Mountaineer NGL agreed it would be able to do so. Although Long Ridge is still in early stages of planning the transition, he said.