New regional hydrogen hub poised to benefit Southeastern PA families, workers, businesses
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act created the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Hubs program
Casey pushed Department of Energy to designate MACH2 as hydrogen hub to bring good union jobs and burgeoning clean energy industry to Southeastern PA
Administration announcement consistent with Casey speech on future of American workers and economy; hydrogen hub funding follows other major investments in American clean energy
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded up to $750 million to develop a hydrogen hub in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.
“The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub is a gamechanger for Southeastern Pennsylvania,” Senator Casey said. “This hub will bring good union jobs, economic growth, and clean energy innovation to the region. The infrastructure law is helping Pennsylvania take control of its future and become the energy powerhouse we know we can be.”
The MACH2 Hydrogen Hub application includes the City of Philadelphia, with a number of project partners through the Mid-Atlantic, including SEPTA and other transportation entities, Monroe Energy, Philadelphia Gas Works, University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney University and Air Liquide. Organized labor also played a key role in leading MACH2, particularly the building trades of Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware. Senator Casey supported MACH2’s application and pushed for DOE to award hydrogen hub designation to the region.
Senator Casey has consistently fought to deliver jobs, manufacturing, and investments back to Pennsylvania. 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.
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 MACH2 hub will be critical to reducing emissions and combatting the climate crisis while growing our economy and creating good-paying jobs.
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