LISTEN: DeSantis-Backed Hydrogen Plant Breaks Ground in Central Florida

MULBERRY -- Officials are breaking ground on a hydrogen plant in Polk County that its builders say will generate "clean" hydrogen.

The project is one of the outgrowths of a trip by Governor Ron DeSantis to Asia earlier this year. DeSantis persuaded South Korean company Low Carbon to bring its hydrogen technology to Florida. Low Carbon's process to extract hydrogen uses natural gas, which produces ten times as much carbon dioxide, creating pollution. But Low Carbon says its process recaptures more than 90 percent of the carbon into commercially viable byproducts including calcium carbonate and soda ash.

The plant wil bring between 100 and 150 jobs to Polk County. Low Carbon's partner is Ocean Green Hydrogen of Tampa. Company vice president Hani Banoub says they hope the plant can produce 10 tons of hydrogen a day, and that it could be the beginning of creating a regional hydrogen hub in Florida. The federal government is promoting the establishment of such hubs to encourage use of hydrogen as a fuel.

Hear more in an interview with Hani Banoub below:

Photos: Canva/Getty Images


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