Massive hydrogen operation has some on edge in N.L. [Video]

A multibillion-dollar megaproject in Newfoundland is one step closer to becoming Canada’s first commercial green hydrogen operation, but some in the country’s easternmost province wonder whether their government has learned from its mistakes.

World Energy GH2, the company leading the project, is aware there are concerns about Project Nujio’qonik, said chief executive Sean Leet. But he said there are reasons for people to have faith in the company.

“We’re from here,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “We’re here to build a project that the community and the province will be proud of.”

The Liberal Newfoundland and Labrador government approved the US$12-billion project’s environmental assessment on Tuesday, as companies in Atlantic Canada race to become the country’s first exporter of hydrogen developed with renewable energy. The province of about 530,000 people is home to four offshore oilfields, and advocates have long called on the government to wean itself off oil royalties …