The shorts are probably aiming for a rebalance buying...

The shorts are probably aiming for a rebalance buying opportunity to exit after selling down.
To me it is an opportunity to rebuild my holdings.
You gave a good point re the capital additional cost.
I would note that Phil said the study was conservative so there are likely optimizations possible. Also there is the ability to decarbonize which let's be honest does attract govt funding and ESG investment.
One thing that might become an unexpected bonus is the self contained nature of the process. Especially the water and H2 reclamation. Many green hydrogen based industrial proposals include a very big desalination plant as part of the design.
There is more detail to he understood snd tested but there seems a lot more efficiency possible in the ZESTY method than some of the other green options under serious consideration.