New regional hydrogen hub poised to impact PA families, workers, businesses
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act created the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Hubs program
Administration announcement consistent with Casey speech on future of American workers and economy; hydrogen hub funding follows other major investments in regional economy
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding up to $925 million to develop a hydrogen hub spanning four Appalachian states including Pennsylvania.
“The ARCH2 hydrogen hub is an incredible regional opportunity to put Appalachia at the forefront of the 21st century economy,” said Senator Casey. “Southwestern Pennsylvania has a long, proud history of building and powering our Nation, and a hydrogen hub will bring jobs, economic growth, and clean energy innovation to the Appalachian Basin. As the Department of Energy continues to develop this hub, I will keep pushing to maximize Southwestern Pennsylvania’s footprint and ensure that Pennsylvania workers benefit as opportunities arise.”
The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) will be based in West Virginia in coordination with regional partners in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky. A consortium including EQT Corporation, Battelle, GTI Energy, Allegheny Science & Technology, CNX Resources Corporation, and the State of West Virginia led the ARCH2 application. KeyState in Clinton County, PA is a shining example of the potential of the hydrogen industry to revolutionize the economies of energy communities.
Senator Casey is fighting to bring jobs and economic investment back to Pennsylvania. Casey recently announced $10 million for Pittsburgh-based Catalyst Connection to help small manufacturers in the region to expand and succeed in the clean energy and green technology sectors. He advocated for DOE’s major investment in Eos Energy Enterprises to support the construction and production of next-generation American-made battery systems, which will create jobs and stimulate growth in the Mon Valley. Additionally, he secured $62.7 million for the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative to strengthen and expand the Collaborative’s trailblazing work promoting economic development through the region’s robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors.
In 2021, Casey worked to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to bring billions of dollars to Pennsylvania to build out clean energy infrastructure, improve roads and bridges, expand high-speed internet access, and more—all while creating good-paying jobs. Passed in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act also made major investments in clean energy manufacturing, including solar panels, wind turbines, and clean battery systems. Casey fought to include strict domestic content standards to ensure projects use 100% American-made steel and iron. . The law includes Casey’s provision to incentivize clean energy deployment and manufacturing in “energy communities,” areas whose economies and jobs are or were dependent on the coal, oil or natural gas energy sectors. Casey pushed the Biden Administration to release guidance on eligible communities throughout 2023. All of Southwestern PA and a majority of the Commonwealth is eligible for Casey’s tax credit.
In June, Senator Casey delivered a rousing speech to union workers and business leaders in Pittsburgh to outline his vision for the United States to take control of its economic future by investing in American workers and manufacturing, as well as stopping investments in national security sectors from going to countries of concern, including China. In July, the Senate overwhelmingly passed Senator Casey’s legislation to screen those investments by a vote of 91-6. Building on Casey’s efforts, the Biden Administration issued an executive order addressing the issue weeks later.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act created DOE’s Hydrogen Hubs program, which will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to advance the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier that can deliver or store significant amounts of energy. The ARCH2 hub will be critical to reducing emissions and combatting the climate crisis while growing our economy and creating good-paying jobs.
