Seven Northeast states submit joint proposal for Hydrogen Hub
A group of seven states in the Northeast have submitted a joint proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy for a Northeast Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub.
New York, New Jersey, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts are seeking a $1.25 billion share of the $8 billion in federal hydrogen hub funding available as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Along with the federal portion, the proposal represents a $3.62 billion investment and includes over one dozen projects across seven Northeast states that advance clean electrolytic hydrogen production and consumption. These projects will be targeted at hard-to-decarbonize sectors, including transportation and heavy industry.
“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,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “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.”
Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said the proposal is the culmination of more than a year of collaborative work between the seven states and more than 100 hydrogen ecosystem partners.
“The Northeast Hydrogen Hub will create opportunity, prioritize equity, and enable significant progress toward our ambitious climate requirements. I look forward to working with this impressive coalition of state leaders and partners in the private sectors to bring economic growth and industry to the region,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said.
The proposal has guiding principles, including the prioritization of clean electrolytic hydrogen production; the utilization of clean hydrogen as a complement to electrification efforts by focusing on hard-to-electrify sectors of the economy; a focus on community engagement, safety, climate, environmental justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; growing the clean energy workforce; leveraging the region’s rich innovation ecosystem at scale; and collaborating on critical policy initiatives and incentives.
“By securing funding through the Biden Administration’s historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, New Jersey and its regional partners will advance clean hydrogen production and consumption, especially in industries that significantly contribute to GHG emissions and pollution in our local communities,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said.
If selected for an award by the DOE, the projects within the NE Hub will complete a series of four phases in development over the course of 10-12 years. While the DOE reviews the application, the full list of projects, locations, and organizations included within the NE Hub proposal will not be made public.
