Washington, D.C. — President Biden, alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, unveiled a groundbreaking initiative on October 13th as part of his Investing in America agenda. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has committed $7 billion to establish seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) across the nation, marking a significant stride toward accelerating the deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen. This initiative is part of President Biden’s strategy, often referred to as “Bidenomics,” aimed at addressing climate change and enhancing energy security.
Fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these seven H2Hubs will serve as the cornerstone for a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and infrastructure. The primary goal is to facilitate the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen, a critical energy source that can be manufactured with minimal carbon emissions. The H2Hubs are projected to collectively generate three million metric tons of hydrogen annually, making significant strides toward the 2030 U.S. production target. Moreover, it’s claimed that these initiatives will significantly reduce emissions in hard-to-decarbonize industrial sectors, which contribute to 30 percent of total U.S. carbon emissions.
As part of the comprehensive plan, the H2Hubs are set to cut down 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, a figure equivalent to the combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars. Furthermore, this project is aimed to create and sustain tens of thousands of well-paying jobs nationwide, contributing to healthier communities.
This investment is among the largest ever made in clean manufacturing and job creation. Federal funds will be matched by recipients to create an estimated total of nearly $50 billion, bolstering local economies, generating high-quality jobs, and substantially reducing harmful emissions that threaten public health and the environment.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of hydrogen, stating, “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 President Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy.” She added, “With this historic investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is laying the foundation for a new, American-led industry that will propel the global clean energy transition while creating high-quality jobs and delivering healthier communities in every pocket of the nation.”
Clean hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier produced from various domestic clean energy sources, including renewables, nuclear, and fossil fuels with carbon capture technology. The H2Hubs’ unique attributes will enable a substantial reduction in emissions from energy-intensive sectors like chemicals, industrial processes, and heavy-duty transportation. Clean hydrogen can also serve as a form of long-duration energy storage, supporting the expansion of renewable energy. This initiative will strengthen American energy independence and further boost the manufacturing sector, which has already added over 815,000 jobs since President Biden assumed office.
The Department of Energy’s $7 billion federal investment in clean hydrogen will be combined with more than $40 billion in cost-sharing contributions from H2Hubs’ selectees, solidifying a transformative push towards a cleaner and more sustainable American energy landscape.
