Newlab New Orleans to Launch Startup Hub Focused on Carbon Management and Hydrogen Production

Newlab New Orleans is set to open a startup hub on the former Navy Base, featuring nine startups focused on carbon management and hydrogen production. Critics argue some technologies may serve as a facade for fossil fuel interests, with concerns about their environmental efficacy. Funded by public-private partnerships including Shell and GNO, Inc., the hub aims to drive economic development through ‘green tech’ innovation, though environmentalists question its impact on local communities and the environment.

Published Mar 25, 2026

The Newlab New Orleans startup hub will open early next year at the former Naval Support Activity site, featuring nine startups concentrating on carbon management and hydrogen production. The $300 million redevelopment includes a $50 million facility supported by public-private partnerships, including Shell.

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Critics argue that technologies presented as green may simply support fossil fuel operations. Startups like Airhive and Parallel Carbon focus on carbon capture and hydrogen fuel, but some, like Molten Industries, use fossil fuels in their processes. Environmentalists express concerns over the effectiveness of these solutions and the overall impact on Louisiana's environment, calling for a focus on proven renewable energy technologies instead.