DOE selections for regional hydrogen hubs mark critical first step in clean hydrogen economy, highlight importance of community engagement going forward
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its selections of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, marking a pivotal moment in its efforts to accelerate the U.S. clean hydrogen economy, create jobs, and catalyze opportunities to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors to improve air quality and support U.S. climate goals. The hubs will localize centers for the production, transportation, storage, and end-use of hydrogen.
“Today’s announcement of seven hydrogen hubs is a critical first step in decarbonizing existing carbon-intensive hydrogen applications such as ammonia production for fertilizers and petrochemicals refining and in decarbonizing new applications of hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors, including heavy-duty trucking, shipping, and aviation,” said Anna Menke, Senior Hydrogen Hubs Manager at Clean Air Task Force. “The hydrogen hubs program can provide a variety of community and climate benefits, and we must ensure the program delivers on these promises. Community engagement is going to continue to be critical to the success of the hubs. We urge DOE and hub developers to redouble their efforts to better understand and address community priorities, concerns, and interests, and integrate community needs into their planning to ensure hydrogen hubs can serve as durable climate solutions. We look forward to continuing to engage with DOE, hub developers, and community-based organizations as the award negotiations process begins.”
“This first-of-its-kind demonstration program presents real opportunities to position the U.S. as a leader in the clean hydrogen economy while helping us achieve our climate goals and improving public health,” said Holly Reuter, Climate and Clean Energy Implementation Director at Clean Air Task Force. “As attention turns to the next phase of planning, DOE, hub developers, and states must be closely coordinated and transparent and seek external expertise as the hubs move forward. While this announcement is exciting progress, it is critical we get this program right. That means taking the time to engage with communities, experts, and other stakeholders to maximize the climate, economic, and public health benefits the hubs can provide.”
DOE’s initial hydrogen hubs selections span 18 states and represent diverse regions across the country. The hubs are also diverse in the way they intend to produce hydrogen: seven hubs will demonstrate renewable-based production, five will demonstrate fossil-based production with carbon capture (which should also include strict upstream methane emissions control to be climate beneficial), and three will demonstrate nuclear-based production. The hubs selected still have a long road ahead and will move forward into robust award negotiations with DOE before project construction begins.
Over the past year, Clean Air Task Force has been engaging with applicants to DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. CATF will continue to engage deeply at the regional-level and with DOE to ensure the program maximizes climate and community benefits. We hope to see DOE and hubs collaborating to prioritize clean hydrogen for sectors where it will deliver significant climate benefits—first in sectors where hydrogen is indispensable, followed by additional sectors that lack other energy-efficient or cost-effective decarbonization options—particularly through implementation of the recently announced $1 billion for a hydrogen demand-side initiative to accompany the hydrogen hubs.
CATF intends to be a source of information on hub-related developments for the public, regional and local governments, community-based organizations, and industry stakeholders. For more information on the hydrogen hubs applicants, please visit CATF’s Hydrogen Hubs Map.
Selections include:
Appalachian Hydrogen Hub – Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) is led by Battelle and focuses on producing hydrogen from low-cost natural gas with permanent geologic storage of the captured CO2. The hydrogen will be consumed by a diverse group of end users including ammonia production, hydrogen refueling stations, industrial, manufacturing, and other transportation uses. The hub spans West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky.
California Hydrogen Hub – Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) is led by the California Governor’s Office of Business & Development (GO-Biz) and focuses on producing hydrogen from renewable energy and biomass. The hydrogen will be used in decarbonizing end-use sectors like public transportation, heavy-duty trucking, and port operations. The hub also plans to use hydrogen for power and spans the state of California.
Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub – HyVelocity H2Hub is led by GTI Energy and the Center for Houston’s Future and focuses on producing hydrogen using a combination of natural gas with carbon capture and electrolysis powered by renewable sources of electricity. The hub will provide clean hydrogen for ammonia production, refinery and petrochemical processes, heavy-duty transportation, e-methanol for marine shipping, and other industrial heating applications. The hub will be centered in Houston, Texas and will span Texas and Louisiana.
Heartland Hydrogen Hub is led by the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) and may produce hydrogen from multiple pathways, potentially including natural gas with carbon capture and storage, nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Hydrogen will be used to decarbonize fertilizer production as well as potentially for power generation. The hub spans Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub – Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) focuses on producing hydrogen from renewable and nuclear energy sources. MACH2 plans to repurpose historic oil infrastructure and utilize existing rights-of-way while demonstrating multiple industrial, commercial, and transportation end uses. The hub spans Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Midwest Hydrogen Hub – Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) focuses on producing hydrogen from natural gas with carbon capture, nuclear, and renewable energy sources. MachH2 will use hydrogen to decarbonize steel and glass production, refineries, heavy-duty transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, and power generation. The hub spans Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub – PNW H2 is led by the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association and will produce hydrogen through electrolysis using renewable sources. The hydrogen will be used in hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as heavy-duty trucking, fertilizer production, ports, aviation, and industry. The hub spans Washington, Oregon, and Montana.
For questions, please reach out to our team of experts for more information:
- Appalachia & Mid-Atlantic: Sam Bailey, Appalachia Regional Hubs Manager ([email protected])
- Gulf Coast: Mathew Holland, Gulf Coast Regional Hubs Manager ([email protected])
- Midwest: Ian Champ, Midwest Regional Hubs Manager ([email protected])
- West: Maggie Field, Western Regional Hubs Manager ([email protected])
- General inquires: Anna Menke, Senior Hydrogen Hubs Manager ([email protected])
Press Contact
Troy Shaheen, Communications Director, [email protected], +1 845-750-1189
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
