Navigating Policy Uncertainty: Energy Powerhouses Pursuing Lower-Carbon Solutions in the U.S.
Key Ideas
  • Exxon Mobil and Chevron are committed to carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen projects to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Policy uncertainties in the U.S. are impacting the pace of development for energy projects, some heavily reliant on government support for economic viability.
  • Exxon's Baytown low-carbon hydrogen project aims for startup in 2029, dependent on securing tax incentives to be economically feasible.
  • Efforts are being made to transition hydrogen production to cleaner methods, incentivized by tax credits to promote market competition with traditional fuels.
Despite policy uncertainties in the U.S. energy sector, Exxon Mobil and Chevron remain dedicated to pursuing lower-carbon solutions. During quarterly earning calls, executives from both companies highlighted their focus on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen projects as key components in the global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Exxon Mobil's CEO, Darren Woods, emphasized the importance of the right policy framework for a successful energy future, revealing that a significant portion of their planned capital expenditure is allocated to nascent, lower-emissions markets like the Baytown low-carbon hydrogen project. This project, which aims to produce up to 1 billion cubic feet per day of hydrogen, is set for startup in 2029 pending the receipt of tax incentives. The Trump administration's actions to roll back clean energy legislation have impacted the industry, with initiatives like the Baytown project reliant on government support for economic viability. Hydrogen production, traditionally linked to industrial processes, is undergoing a transformation to cleaner methods with the addition of carbon capture components or renewable energy sources. Tax credits of up to $3 per kilogram of hydrogen produced incentivize companies to adopt cleaner production methods. The ultimate goal is a market-based future where hydrogen competes effectively with traditional fuels without the need for government subsidies, as highlighted by Exxon Mobil's CEO.
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