The proposed project will use wind and solar energy to create a new local source of ammonia. Electricity from wind turbines and solar panels would be used to create hydrogen from water. That hydrogen would then be combined with nitrogen from the air to create ammonia. The ammonia would be delivered to markets through existing pipeline infrastructure.

Tenaska Development is developing the project. Tenaska is a leading American energy project developer based in Omaha, Nebraska. For more than 35 years, Tenaska has earned a reputation for developing responsible energy projects and being a good business neighbor in the communities where it does business. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, or CIP, will support the construction and long-term operations of the project. CIP manages the world’s largest dedicated clean energy fund. Together, Tenaska and CIP have a shared goal of developing large-scale hydrogen projects to grow the U.S. energy economy.

Hydrogen is a well-established, globally traded commodity. It is in demand for new energy, agriculture, industrial, and transportation applications. It can be used as a feedstock for fertilizers and fuels, as an alternative transportation fuel on its own, or for power generation.

Most of the current hydrogen produced in the U.S. is derived from natural gas. Clean hydrogen uses energy from renewable resources like wind and solar to power electrolysis, a proven method of producing hydrogen that has been used for over one hundred years, opening new opportunities for hydrogen production while eliminating nearly all pollution from the hydrogen production process.

The Cedar Ridge project would combine hydrogen with nitrogen captured from the air to produce ammonia. The ammonia will be delivered to agricultural and industrial customers using existing pipeline infrastructure. Cedar Ridge does not intend to build new pipeline infrastructure for the project. The ammonia from the project would be delivered to customers across the central US, including fertilizer producers, and potentially to international markets as well.

We look forward to working with landowners to maximize and diversify revenue from their property through leasing land that can host wind and solar equipment. Leasing land will allow families to supplement their income and keep ownership of the land in their family while receiving lease payments for decades to come. Whether leased land is hosting wind, solar, or both, know that the company will enter a legal obligation to pay for all costs associated with construction, operation, and decommissioning. This includes but is not limited to incidental crop damage, repairs to drain tile or fences and any potentially increased property taxes. At the end of the project’s useful life, all associated equipment will be removed, and the land will be restored to its original condition for further use.

We want to develop hydrogen facilities in locations with three key attributes. These are (1) a location where there is the ability to build a wind and solar facility; (2) a suitable local market or transport opportunity for the ammonia; and (3) a community that is invested in the economic benefits of such a project.

The primary purpose of the wind or solar facilities developed as part of this project will be to power the hydrogen and ammonia facility. This means there is no need to find a buyer for the electricity that the facilities generate.

Like other resources and fuels that society depends on today, hydrogen is closely regulated. The United States currently produces 10 million metric tons of hydrogen annually, and many industrial sectors have safely used it and its derivatives for over 50 years. Historically, leaks at hydrogen facilities are extremely rare, but safeguards will be in place to prevent and, if needed, respond to any safety incident. The project facilities will be designed with state-of-the-art safety systems. Even though incidents are rare, extensive emergency response plans will be developed that are reviewed by regulators and shared with local first responders and officials to ensure a coordinated response. The on-site operations team will undergo regular and extensive safety training ranging from basic hazard awareness to comprehensive rescue exercises with local authorities, first responders and other local stakeholders. Emergency personnel will know in advance how to respond in case of an emergency.

Tenaska Development has a long history of being a responsible energy project developer and good business neighbor. We are conducting an extensive study through a third party on how to best minimize water use and identify local municipal or industrial wastewater reuse opportunities, reducing potential impact on local communities. We have a long-standing reputation of working with local leaders and officials to maximize the benefits of our projects for communities and will continue to uphold it here.

No credible studies have shown an association between the presence of an operating solar or wind energy project and long-term impact on adjacent property values.

The community will see no increase in its utility bills due to the presence of the project.

This is a long-term project that is just beginning its first stages of development. The project is not expected to begin construction for at least four years. Construction would last approximately two to three years, and we are expecting the project to become operational in 2032.

Once construction is complete, the plant will be operated and maintained by a team of local personnel, supporting up to 100 full-time, well-paying jobs. The project will also support local communities by creating high-paying construction jobs. We aim to source qualified local labor and materials when possible, and we will create detailed job and economic impact numbers as the project advances.