Pacific Northwest selected for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub
OLYMPIA, Wash.-The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association's PNWH2 Hub has been selected as one of seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs in the country.
The Department of Energy announced PNWH2's selection on October 13 and the multi-state nonprofit coalition of public and private partners in Washington, Oregon and Montana can now enter into award negotiations with the DOE.
“Washington state and our many partners in this effort got here today because we have the commitment to innovation, nation-leading climate policies and economic bona fides to build even more clean energy resources here in Washington,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee.
Funding for the regional clean hydrogen hubs was provide by the Biden Administration's Investing in America Agenda. The goal of the H2Hubs is to accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen—helping generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation according to a PNWH2 press release.
Through clean power and technology companies in the Northwest the PNWH2 hub will focus on decarbonizing the region’s hard-to-electrify heavy-duty transportation, long-duration energy storage, ports, agriculture and industrial operations.
“This transformational opportunity to accelerate development of the nation’s clean energy economy is tailor-made for the Pacific Northwest, where a proud tradition of technological innovation and collaboration in taking on bold challenges is in our nature," said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.
Hub projects in the Northwest were collaboratively developed with tribes, unions, industry and many others and will either create or support 10,000 jobs according to today's press release.
The PNWH2 Hub is eligible to receive up to $1 billion in federal funding over nine years and will begin negotiations and planning for projects in early 2024.
“This investment means the Pacific Northwest will house the greenest hydrogen in the nation, will create thousands of good paying, clean energy jobs, and will provide a massive boost to our economy," said Rep. Kim Schrier. "It will put Washington State and the 8th District at the forefront of global clean energy innovation.”
Information and updates on PNWH2 projects will be made available as negotiations and projects progress.