PREDC's Paul Venditelli's recent journey to Texas hopes to round up some interest in Watson Island Hydrogen plans

Prince Rupert EDO official Paul Venditelli (right) at a recent Convention
towards Hydrogen energy development  in Houston Texas 
(image from PREDC FB)

The City's Economic Development Officer Paul Venditelli has updated Prince Rupert residents on his recent trip to Texas, the PREDC Official was in Houston in late June for The Hydrogen Technology Conference and Expo in the energy capital of America.

The City's economic development officer promoting the North Coast for future green energy development as part of Canadian Trade delegation.

Mr. Venditelli offered up a look at his focus for the trip as part of his social media post on the PREDC page, the accounts also include some photos of the Texas visit.

Our focus and the focus of the conference was around low carbon hydrogen production, as well as the transportation and infrastructure needed to service this sector - with the intent to commercialize hydrogen as a mainstream provider of clean, renewable energy. In Houston, we had a packed schedule raising awareness of the amazing work and potential on the North Coast and Northern BC in support of a low carbon fuels space. 

A new hydrogen project, especially one on Watson Island, will not only bring jobs to the community, but also lease and tax revenues that can be reinvested in our community. That’s a win-win for Prince Rupert, and we're excited to continue to explore and promote future opportunities for Prince Rupert's green energy sector! -- PREDC Officer Paul Venditelli on the focus for the trip to Houston in June

Will Hydrogen join Liquid Propane as an export from Watson Island?
The City of Prince Rupert continues to court hydrogen investors towards
development of infrastructure on the industrial site
(Image from PREDC FB)

The work in Houston is not the first mention of plans for Hydrogen related development for the city's Watson Island site, last fall outgoing Mayor Lee Brain shared some enthusiasm for an agreement with a company called Patterson Energy towards development of what was described as a "World Class Green Hydrogen Facility".

That announcement noted of the memorandum of agreement for the City of Prince Rupert, Lax Kw'alaams, Metlakatla and the city's Prince Rupert Legacy Inc. mechanism which all signed on to the memorandum with Pattern Energy towards the development of local renewable energy.

Few details were released at the time towards a timeline for construction, what the facility would look like or the coast towards development of it.

Since that information release of November 4th, 2022 , there have not been any further updates on the progress towards the initiative and the topic has not been one for discussion at City Council sessions.

Watson Island is not the only location on the North Coast that may see Hydrogen energy development, Trigon Pacific Terminals and Alta Gas also have plans for development of the resource, that through their Berth 2 Beyond Carbon project.

That project already has seen investment from the Federal Government towards development, the Berth 2 Beyond Carbon project is part of Trigon's Diversification strategy.

There have not been many updates or announcements of late when it comes to new industry for the city's newest industrial site, for some past notes on Watson Island see our archive page here.