Seven States Partner on Bid to Create Regional Hydrogen Hub
ALBANY, N.Y. — Seven states in the Northeast have collectively submitted a proposal to the U.S. Energy Department to compete for a $1.25 billion share of the $8 billion in federal hydrogen hub funding available as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Together with the federal portion, the proposal represents a $3.62 billion investment in clean energy that includes over one dozen projects across the Northeast.
In addition to the funding, awarded proposals will also be designated one of the nation’s new regional clean hydrogen hubs.
“As a leader on climate action and founding partner of the Northeast Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, New York State is leading the way in establishing a connected and sustainable hydrogen industry that will bring jobs and economic development to the region,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a written statement.
“We are ready to work with our state partners and local communities to capitalize on federal funding and ensure this program benefits the entire region while becoming part of a connected hydrogen hub network nationwide and reaching our ambitious climate goals,” she added.
Projects included in the states’ proposal would advance clean electrolytic hydrogen production, consumption, and infrastructure projects, especially in hard to decarbonize sectors like transportation and heavy industry.
Awards are anticipated to be announced in fall 2023.
Since the launch of the Northeast Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in March 2022, six states and more than 100 partners have signed a memorandum of understanding joining the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to collaborate in developing the proposal submitted.
The NE Hub partnership initially included the states of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and 40 partners active in the development and deployment of clean hydrogen as an important component of the broader energy transition.
The partnership expanded in August 2022 to include the states of Rhode Island, Maine, and over 25 additional hydrogen ecosystem partners.
In February 2023, the partnership grew to more than 100 partners, with Vermont also joining.
This coordinated, multi-state strategy is designed to create an ecosystem that connects hydrogen producers and users and their associated safety experts, technology original equipment manufacturers, and the research and development community, workforce organizations, and labor representatives.
If selected for an award by the Department of Energy, the projects within the NE Hub will complete a rigorous series of four phases in development over the course of 10-12 years, with each subsequent phase requiring completion of milestones before the next round of projects moves forward.
The milestones include technical data and analysis, community engagement and impacts, engineering, permitting and safety, business development and management, procurement, and construction and operations.
If chosen, management and oversight of this endeavor across seven states will be accomplished through close coordination and collaboration among the Department of Energy, NYSERDA as the prime awardee, the state partners, and sub-recipient project partners who will be the organizations implementing the work in communities across the region.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue
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