Washington — The Biden administration has selected clean-energy projects in seven states to kickstart the development and production of hydrogen fuel as part of President Joe Biden’s agenda to combat climate change. These projects, part of a $7 billion program, aim to establish seven regional “hydrogen hubs” that will replace fossil fuels with cleaner-burning hydrogen for vehicles, manufacturing, and electricity generation. The official announcement is expected to be made during President Biden’s visit to Philadelphia on Friday.
Clean hydrogen is crucial in achieving the president’s vision of a strong clean energy economy and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, according to the White House. It complements other clean energy sources like wind and solar, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as steel and cement production, heavy-duty transportation, and shipping.
The Hydrogen Council predicts that hydrogen could meet 18% of global energy demand by 2050. The selected projects are set to spur more than $40 billion in private investment and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, including high-paying union jobs. Among the 23 finalists, the projects are based in California, Washington, Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Illinois.
The new Energy Department program aims to create regional networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and infrastructure, accelerating the availability and use of hydrogen as an energy source. The intent is to utilize the colorless, odorless gas for vehicles and trains. The program has attracted states and businesses competing for federal funding.
The selected “hub” sites include the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub and the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub, both benefiting Pennsylvania. The Appalachian hub involves major Pittsburgh-based natural gas companies, while the Mid-Atlantic hub focuses on making hydrogen through electrolysis using renewable energy sources. Other selected projects include the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems in California, the Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub in Houston, the Heartland hub in Minnesota, and the Midwest hub in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
Critics argue that hydrogen production requires a significant amount of energy, and when produced using coal or natural gas electricity, it has a larger carbon footprint. However, the Biden administration sees hydrogen as a vital tool in the fight against climate change.
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