Pacific Northwest to receive $1 billion in federal funding for new Hydrogen Hub
The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association has been chosen to receive $1 billion in federal funding to become one of seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs across the United States.
The association, which describes itself as “a collective of representatives from the private sector, government, academic, research and philanthropic communities,” was selected Friday by the Department of Energy.
Hubs across the country “will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen,” according to a news release from the Washington Department of Commerce.
Washington, Oregon and Montana are all included in the network of “hydrogen suppliers and off-takers” being built by the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association.
According to the Washington Department of Commerce, 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year will be reduced, and tens of thousands of jobs will become available through the program.
Hydrogen is known as a cleaner alternative to natural gas, and is the most abundant chemical element in the universe. It can also be used for fuel or energy after it is produced from sources such as water, fossil fuels, or biomass.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray joined Gov. Jay Inslee and others Friday during a virtual press conference for the announcement.
“We have tried to look over the horizon to be able to decarbonize the more difficult areas to decarbonize,” Inslee said. “We want to do the things that are harder rather than things that are easier, and aviation, heavy industrial processes, fertilizer production – those are the hardest areas. We’re going after the harder areas because we want to be ambitious.”
Murray, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that it is an “exciting time” for the region.
“The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program is one of the largest investments in Department of Energy history, and it is going to form the foundation for a nationwide clean hydrogen network,” she said. “What we’re doing is accelerating the commercial scale development of clean hydrogen right here in the Pacific Northwest, which will make an enormous difference for speeding up our decarbonization efforts, cutting our greenhouse gas pollution in the region and tackling the climate crisis.”
Kent Caputo, chief operating officer for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe; April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Aaron Feaver, director for the Joint Center for Deployment and Research in Earth Abundant Materials at Washington State University, and Janine Benner, director at the Oregon Department of Energy, were all on the virtual call as well.
Bellingham, Centralia, East Wenatchee and Richland are some of the proposed production sites, according to reporting by the Seattle Times.
The federal funding for the Hub comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, up to $108 billion has been authorized for federal transportation projects, with $91 billion in guaranteed funding.
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 7:35 PM with the headline "Pacific Northwest to receive $1 billion in federal funding for new Hydrogen Hub."
