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THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES.

Hydrogen hubs: A few things to consider.

By RiverWise (sources include PG, WESA, EDF, and Public Source)

The Biden Administration's $7 billion investment in decarbonizing the country is gaining traction due to a $925 million effort to build a hydrogen hub in West Virginia, which will span parts of western Pennsylvania.

Some in the region consider this investment from President Biden as a win for energy independence and assistance in limiting emissions for heavy polluting industries, like steel. While others view this endeavor as an out-of-touch move by the federal government to subsidize corporate polluters to continue emitting greenhouse gases.

Here are a few things to consider:

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the world and in its purest form, its only byproduct is water.

But hydrogen is considered a "sticky" molecule and is often attached to other molecules, like oxygen (to create water, or H2O). To use hydrogen, it needs to be separated from other molecules. However, that process requires energy — usually fossil fuels. Using natural gas and other fossil fuels to produce hydrogen accounts for roughly 96% of current production, and is known as "gray hydrogen."

Again, by itself, hydrogen is clean, which is why many tout it as being a clean alternative to fossil fuels. But, as mentioned above, it takes lots of energy to get hydrogen to that pure form, which makes it problematic for limiting emissions and ending climate change.

There are a variety of ways to produce hydrogen, and some are "cleaner" than others. Those in the energy industry use color-coded names to define how "clean" production is.

"Gray hydrogen" uses natural gas. “Blue hydrogen” is also produced with natural gas but uses carbon capture to attempt to limit emissions. “Pink hydrogen” uses nuclear energy. Wind and solar produce “green hydrogen.”

Marion Gee, co-executive director at the Climate Justice Alliance, a national coalition representing 89 rural and urban community-based environmental justice organizations, calls hydrogen hubs a "scam."

“At face value — and according to the Biden playbook — the hydrogen hub grants aim to help transition the United States to clean energy," Gee said. "In reality, they amount to another corporate scam, one that preserves and extends the life of the extractive economy and prevents the frontline communities most impacted by climate disaster from having input."

Others consider hydrogen hubs valuable in slowly cutting emissions from necessary industries that are major emitters of pollution, like steelmaking and cement manufacturing.

“These are industries that are otherwise very difficult, if not impossible to abate. So these industries are going to disappear if we do not have this pathway available,” Andrew Place, state energy and climate policy director at the Clean Air Task Force and a former commissioner of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, said.

Locally, Shell recently withdrew from an effort made by the Decarbonization Network of Appalachia (DNA) to create a hydrogen hub in western Pennsylvania.

According to reports, Shell withdrew to "reduce overall costs and improve the viability of DNA."

There is much more to consider when examining what a hydrogen hub could mean for our region. The links at the top of this article provide more resources to explore. Additional resources are also below, including a recent post from FracTracker, a video from Planet A and several thoughts from the Environmental Defense Fund regarding hydrogen hubs and climate change.

FracTracker provides meaningful info about the connection between hydrogen hubs and fracking.

Check out FracTracker's social media page here. Website link here.

This video offers more info about hydrogen hubs:

Five things to help ensure a positive climate outcome, according to EDF.

According to the Environmental Defense FundConduct more research on hydrogen’s warming effects relative to other greenhouse gases and develop models that can increase confidence in the impacts hydrogen deployment would have on global temperatures at varying leakage rates.Accurately measure leakage, which will require equipment capable of measuring hydrogen concentrations at the parts-per-billion level, so we can systematically quantify leakage rates.Use climate metrics that reflect the role that hydrogen leakage could play over the policy-relevant near-term, instead of relying exclusively on 100-year accounting.Include the likelihood of hydrogen leakage and its impacts in decisions about where and how to deploy hydrogen. Use should be concentrated where it is produced and used in close proximity, with limited need to transport it.Identify leakage mitigation measures and best practices. Lessons learned over the past decade about minimizing natural gas leakage can help, despite the differences in the properties of these two gases.

'Mocha Madness': Vote for your favorite coffee shop

By Garret Roberts, Beaver County Times

The Beaver County Times is hosting a bracket-style local coffee shop competition. Be sure to cast your vote and read the latest.

Vote for your favorite coffee shop via the link here.

Read more.

Residents asked to complete comprehensive plan survey

By Chrissy Suttles, Beaver County Times

The planning initiative hasn't taken place since 2010, nearly 14 years ago. The county created a survey and is seeking input from residents. Read more.

Daniel Rossi-Keen wrote a column last week discussing the need for an updated comprehensive plan and what the last 14 years have looked like in the county without one. Give his editorial a read here.

Flower power: Local woman owns floral arrangement company

By Louise Carroll, Special to the Ledger

Melissa Sleeth, of Franklin Township, creates unique floral arrangements using dried and artificial flowers.  

Her artistry includes wreaths, home décor, gifts, centerpieces and one-of-a-kind, beautiful dried arrangements for weddings, bridal showers, corporate events, and more.

Learn more about her business, MS Blooms Collective, by visiting the website here.

Read more.

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services’ Weekly News Scan

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Service’s Community Democracy program has put together a weekly news scan that reports municipal news related to environmental justice issues. Check it out below.

OCTOBERHalloween and more

The Windmill’s Haunted Mini Golf: Sept. 16 through Halloween — a spooky miniature golf course at 2142 Brodhead Road, Hopewell Twp.

Zombies of The Corn: Sept. 22 to Oct. 29 — a haunted attraction in New Sewickley Twp. More here.

Freddy’s Haunts: Sept. 26 through Halloween — a haunted trail at 192 McCune Road, Independence Twp.

Beastly Haunted Trail: Sept. 29 through Halloween — a haunted attraction at 3394 Brodhead Road, Center Township. More here.

FearScapes Haunts & Escape Room: Opens Oct. 6 at 1503 Brentwood Ave. in Ellwood City.

Halloween 5K & Fun Walk: Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. at Grove Cemetery, 1750 Valley Ave. in New Brighton. More here.

Rochester Oktoberfest: Oct. 29 from 2-8 p.m. Food trucks, live music, vendors, animal rescues, candy, and more.

Local Pumpkin Patches:

• Hozak Farms, 488 Anderson-Hozak Road in Hanover Twp.
• Janoski’s Farm and Greenhouse, 1714 Route 30 in Findlay Twp.
• Yeck’s Pumpkins and Hayrides, 568 Baker Road in New Sewickley Twp.

Trick-or-Treat Schedule:

• Oct 31 from 5-7 p.m.: Ellwood City.
• Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.: New Brighton.
• Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.: Aliquippa, Ambridge, Baden, Beaver, Beaver Falls, Big Beaver, Bridgewater, Center Township, Chippewa Township, Conway, Economy, Franklin Township, Harmony Township, Hopewell Township, Independence Township, Monaca, New Sewickley Township, Patterson Heights, Patterson Township, Potter Township, Raccoon Township, Rochester, Rochester Township, Shippingport and Vanport Township.
• Oct. 31 Trunk-or-treat from 6-8 p.m. in the North Sewickley Township building parking lot.

Personal Development, Education + Other Events

Yoga for Artists: Oct. 23 and 30 and Nov. 6 and 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Baby Bello, 220 9th Ave. in Beaver Falls. Yoga presented by Sangha Center Yoga based in Beaver.

Crop & Kettle Commencement Celebration: Oct. 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Northbridge Church, 216 Mystic Pine Trail in Cranberry Township. Raffles, food, fellowship, and more. Register here.

Puzzle Palooza: Oct. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Beaver Area High School Cafeteria. The Women’s Center of Beaver County hosts a team puzzle competition. $25/person; four people per team; six max. More here.

Yoga Retreat: Oct. 27-29 at Lutherlyn, 500 Lutherlyn Lane in Butler. Hosted by Meko Yoga and Wellness Center in Beaver Falls. More here.

Nature Journaling: Oct. 28 and Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (The first session already took place on Sept. 30.) $10 suggested donation. Relax and record your experiences as you spend time in creation and the many places of beauty and peace on the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden grounds at 495 St. Joseph Way in Baden.

Beaver County Rehabilitation Center

BCRC offers mental health services for all Beaver County residents. The program, called Aurora, is a resource for anyone with a mental health diagnosis who needs additional assistance in developing hope.

Watch the Facebook Reel here.

More info about Aurora available here.

Beaver County Crisis Help-Line: 1-800-400-6180 and 724-371-8060, or text 988.

The Shell Plant Agreement: Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services put together an article with helpful info about Shell’s fine and consent order agreement. Read here.

Register to Vote!: The deadline is approaching! October 23 is the last day to register before the Nov. 7 election. Follow the link here to register to vote.

Soup Kitchens: For a list of free meals available to the community, view the link here.

What other resources should we include? Send recommendations here.

CONNECT TO LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LEADERS

We intend for The Bridge to be a robust resource for residents of Beaver County. To make that a reality, we’d like to include a community development contact section so residents know who to reach out to for volunteer and partnership opportunities, questions, and more.

If you’d like to be included in this section of the publication, please fill out the Google Form here.

Feedback about this idea (and other components of The Bridge) can also be included in the form!

RESOURCES AVAILABLE VIA THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT

In August, Sen. Bob Casey’s office hosted state and federal agencies in Harrisburg to discuss the incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

A list of grant opportunities and other initiatives is available here.

The Steamboat, George Washington, docked near the water works in Monaca in the 1930s. The boat took people down river to Rock Springs Park in Chester, West Virginia. Image and information via Little Beaver Historical Society’s Facebook page.

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The Bridge is a prototype for what RiverWise envisions as a growing center for relevant community news + resources for Beaver County residents.