Two new papers authored by Mohamed Mehana from Los Alamos National Laboratory delve into the feasibility of well retrofitting and clean hydrogen production from fossil fuels to address carbon emissions in the Intermountain West region of the United States. Mehana highlights that without intervention, over 5 million metric tons of CO2 would leak into the atmosphere annually from this region, equivalent to the emissions of 1 million cars. The papers outline place-based strategies to tackle climate issues by leveraging the shared characteristics of states like Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming. By utilizing legacy infrastructure and optimizing energy systems, the research suggests a cost-effective pathway towards a net-zero future. The first paper focuses on repurposing old well bores for carbon sequestration, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness compared to creating new storage sites. The second paper explores the production of clean hydrogen, leveraging the region's energy sources and storage sites for a more achievable transition. With production tax credits now available, clean hydrogen methods are becoming more economically viable. Overall, the research emphasizes the need for a holistic understanding of regional resources and characteristics to facilitate a successful energy transition while considering the economic and community implications of moving towards cleaner energy sources.