Illinois Supreme Court Dismisses Hydrogen Blending in Gas Pipelines
Chicago, Thursday, 14 August 2025.
The Illinois Supreme Court finds hydrogen blending wasteful, losing 70% energy before reaching users. It highlights direct electrification with renewables as the key to the clean energy transition.
Supreme Court Ruling Details
In a bold move, the Illinois Supreme Court has determined that blending hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines is an inefficient practice. According to their findings, a staggering 70% of the energy content is lost before the gas can even reach the end user. This revelation points to the fact that hydrogen blending not only fails to significantly reduce emissions but actually wastes clean electricity that could be used more effectively [1]. The court’s decision underlines the preference for direct electrification using renewable energy and efficient heat pumps as a quicker path to Illinois’s clean energy goals [1].
Blending Hydrogen: More Waste Than Worth?
The court’s decision echoes concerns from a recent report by Switchbox, which criticises hydrogen blending as a flawed strategy. Even a 20% hydrogen blend results in only a modest 5% reduction in emissions from gas-heated buildings. Worse yet, it guzzles nearly eight times more electricity compared to using heat pumps powered by clean energy [1]. The report brands hydrogen blending as a ‘detour,’ one that distracts from more efficient solutions and keeps Illinois tethered to existing fossil fuel infrastructure [1].
The Bigger Renewable Picture
I often think about how futuristic and ‘green’ hydrogen sounds. But, when you scratch the surface, the numbers can throw a cold bucket on those daydreams. The Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling makes it clear: going full-out with hydrogen would require 1.6 times more renewable electricity than what’s projected to decarbonise the state’s entire economy by 2050 through other advanced technologies [1]. Ouch. So, whilst hydrogen seems glossy, it’s a rough diamond among clearer, more polished alternatives.
A Call to Focus on Effective Energy
Direct electrification and the adoption of heat pumps could wipe out nearly all emissions using significantly less renewable energy than hydrogen blending. Now, that’s a juicy tidbit! Imagine achieving similar emission-free aspirations but with a fraction of the frustrations and more tangible gains in energy conservation [1]. The Illinois decision is a testament to the strategic pivot needed in our sustainable pursuits. It’s a pivot that ditches costly gadgetry in favour of smarter tech—that’s heating up the conversation just right.