Haris Gilani to the State Legislature Select Committee on Building a Zero-Carbon Hydrogen Economy.

Haris Gilani, UCCE biomass and bioenergy advisor for Riverside and San Bernardino counties, spoke to the State Legislature Select Committee on Building a Zero-Carbon Hydrogen Economy on Aug. 6.

Gilani shared insights from a policy brief on how low-carbon and carbon-negative fuels – such as hydrogen produced from agricultural residues, woody biomass and municipal solid waste – can help California achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets.

"Investing in clean hydrogen and green ammonia could provide outsized benefits to communities in California," Gilani said, noting the state could meet 95% of its 2050 hydrogen demand by using waste biomass.

He outlined the steps for success: creating green hydrogen markets using woody biomass and agricultural residues, investing in hydrogen derivatives such as ammonia and developing green ammonia facilities, and establishing supportive procurement policies.