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WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released $7 billion to launch seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) across the nation and accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen-a valuable energy product that can be produced with zero or near-zero carbon emissions. The Pacific Northwest is one of seven hubs selected.

Funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the seven H2Hubs 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. The H2Hubs are expected to collectively produce three million metric tons of hydrogen annually, reaching nearly a third of the 2030 U.S. production target and lowering emissions from hard-to-decarbonize industrial sectors that represent 30 percent of total U.S. carbon emissions. Together, they will also reduce 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from end-uses each year-an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars-and create and retain tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country while supporting healthier communities.

This is one of the largest investments in clean manufacturing and jobs in history. The federal investment will be matched by recipients to leverage a total of nearly $50 billion to strengthen local economies, create and maintain high-quality jobs-especially those that support worker organizing and collective bargaining-and minimize. In addition to positioning America to be a global leader in emerging clean energy industries, the H2Hubs will implement comprehensive local benefits and workforce proposals to support clean energy.

"Unlocking the full potential of hydrogen-a versatile fuel that can be made from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country-is crucial to achieving...American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable energy options for American families and businesses," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

Clean hydrogen is a flexible energy carrier that can be produced from a diverse mix of domestic clean energy resources, including renewables, nuclear, and fossil resources with safe and responsible carbon capture. Its unique characteristics will allow the H2Hubs to substantially reduce harmful emissions from some of the most energy-intensive sectors of the economy, such as chemical and industrial processes and heavy-duty transportation, while creating new economic opportunities across the country. It could also be used as a form of long-duration energy storage to support the expansion of renewable power. By enabling the development of diverse, domestic clean energy pathways across multiple sectors of the economy, clean hydrogen will strengthen American energy independence.

The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, PNW H2; Washington, Oregon, Montana, plans to leverage the region's abundant renewable resources to produce clean hydrogen exclusively via electrolysis. Its anticipated widescale use of electrolyzers will play a key role in driving down electrolyzer costs, making the technology more accessible to other producers, and reducing the cost of hydrogen production. The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub has committed to negotiating Project Labor Agreements for all projects over $1 million and investing in joint labor-management/state-registered apprenticeship programs. This H2Hub is expected to create more than 10,000 direct jobs-8,050 in construction jobs and 350 permanent jobs. Amount: up to $1 billion. The other hubs include: Appalachian Hydrogen Hub (Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2); West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania–Amount: up to $925 million); California Hydrogen Hub (Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES–Amount: up to $1.2 billion); Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub (HyVelocity H2Hub; Texas –Amount: up to $1.2 billion); Heartland Hydrogen Hub (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota–Amount: up to $925 million); Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub (Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey–Amount: up to $750 million); and the Midwest Hydrogen Hub (Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2); Illinois, Indiana, Michigan–Amount: up to $1 billion)

DOE's historic $7 billion of Federal investment in clean hydrogen will be met with the H2Hubs selectees' cost share of more than $40 billion.