Appalachian Hydrogen Hub to be Established in West Virginia – Manchin

On Oct 13, 2023

TL/DR –

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) for a potential $925 million in federal support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to establish a hydrogen hub in West Virginia. This funding is expected to generate up to $6 billion in additional private sector matching funding and create over 20,000 jobs, primarily in West Virginia. The Hydrogen Hub will develop a network of hydrogen-based energy and product manufacturing in the state, which Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, believes will make West Virginia the epicenter of hydrogen in the US.

Announcement of Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in West Virginia

Senator Joe Manchin, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) for $925 million in federal support under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This move will bring a hydrogen hub to West Virginia and is expected to create over 20,000 jobs.

“West Virginia will be the new epicenter of hydrogen in the United States,” said Chairman Manchin. The state won the hydrogen hub due to the hard work of many individuals and organizations. This federal funding is estimated to unlock up to $6 billion in additional private sector matching funding.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $9.5 billion for hydrogen. Specifically, it allocated $1 billion for a Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program and $500 million for Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling initiatives.

Timeline of the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition’s Work

On February 15, 2022, the coalition was launched to support a strong West Virginia candidate for the hydrogen hub.
On February 25, 2022, the coalition had its initial organizing meeting.
On March 21, 2022, the coalition submitted its official response to the U.S. DOE’s first step in the selection process.
On July 28, 2022, the coalition convened industry leaders to discuss next steps for hydrogen.
On September 28, 2022, the coalition supported the new ARCH2, comprised of over 40 entities.
On April 11, 2023, the coalition applauded ARCH2 for submitting their application to the U.S. DOE.

For more information about hydrogen hubs, click here. For more information about hydrogen in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, click here. For more information about the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, click here.