Due to its quick refueling times and extended range capabilities, hydrogen gas is particularly well-suited for powering transportation infrastructure such as planes, trains, tractor-trailers, and other heavy-duty transport vehicles. Since hydrogen combustion produces only water as a waste product, it is an almost ideal green fuel. However, the current methods of hydrogen gas generation that are the most accessible and cost-effective also come with a significant carbon footprint.

To maximize the effective use of hydrogen in energy production and consumption, the following areas require improvement:

1. Transition gray hydrogen plants, which release carbon dioxide as a byproduct, into blue hydrogen facilities that capture and sequester excess carbon dioxide.
2. Develop and improve hydrogen transportation and distribution networks, including specialized pipelines designed for hydrogen gas and cryogenic containers for liquid hydrogen.
3. Create more efficient green hydrogen plants that produce no carbon dioxide waste and biological hydrogen facilities that use microbes to convert biomass or wastewater into hydrogen gas.
4. Secure energy production capacity by physically protecting hydrogen generation plants, pipelines, and distribution infrastructure.

Responsible use of hydrocarbon fuels requires carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) techniques. Even in a scenario where all energy production transitions to green alternatives, CCUS technology would remain vital for removing excess CO2 from the atmosphere to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. Although the field of CCUS is experiencing significant growth, its success still relies on substantial government investments, infrastructure enhancements, and ongoing research efforts.

To advance the effectiveness of CCUS, the following aspects should be addressed:

1. Develop CCUS technologies with higher efficiencies and lower operational costs including exploring innovative techniques that can safely and efficiently sequester CO2 gas.
2. Explore creative approaches for reusing captured carbon by incorporating it into durable goods through materials like carbon fiber or carbon nanotubes.
3. Promote the widespread adoption of CCUS technologies within heavy industries like steel, chemical, and cement production.
4. Ensure CCUS resiliency by securing sites such as underground reservoirs, storage facilities, and processing plants from potential threats.

As we work towards developing a robust infrastructure for alternative energy production, we must use our existing resources wisely. While the deployment of energy alternatives is underway, efforts should be made to reduce our overall energy consumption by improving the efficiency of engines, devices, and buildings. Efficiency is particularly crucial since petrochemicals are feedstock materials for a huge array of products, including plastics, chemicals, fertilizers, medicines, clothing, and even solar panels. While there are green alternatives for transportation, home heating, or electricity generation, it may take several decades before acceptable replacements can be developed for many other uses of hydrocarbons.

The following avenues offer opportunities for achieving efficiency as well as increasing worker safety:

1. Improve the efficiency of upstream operations such as enhanced oil recovery to increase the amount of oil extracted and extend the lifespan of current reserves while minimizing environmental impact.
2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in technology that can quickly detect, prevent, and/or seal leaks in midstream and downstream infrastructure and equipment such as refineries and pipelines.
3. Use renewable energy sources to power extraction technology, such as employing solar ovens for creating injectable steam or using wind turbines for operating surfactant pumps.
4. Ensure energy production capacity does not suffer downtime, economic losses, or environmental pollution from vandalism, activism, and theft.