Golden State Today

California Launches Nation's First Hydrogen Hub

OAKLAND – Last month, California officially became the first state in America to launch a clean, renewable hydrogen hub. Today, Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Under Secretary of Energy David Crane, and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), along with other local, state and federal leaders, gathered in Oakland to celebrate this landmark commitment to build and expand clean energy in California.

A $12.6 billion agreement signed in July includes up to $1.2 billion in federal funding. The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) was the first of seven hydrogen hubs throughout the country to sign their agreement with the Department of Energy. California had a novel approach for its hydrogen hub and created a coalition of more than 400 partners. Furthering the state’s hydrogen hub investments, the Biden-Harris administration today awarded California $12 million for three hydrogen projects across the state.

ARCHES is one of thousands of infrastructure initiatives building California’s future.

“California is building more, faster to accelerate clean energy projects, cut pollution, and deliver good jobs – and we’re doing it at a scale unmatched in America. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, our first-in-the-nation hydrogen hub is quickly becoming reality,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The half-day event showcased cutting-edge hydrogen-powered transportation projects in Oakland, demonstrating not only what has already been accomplished in California but what is coming thanks to ARCHES’ renewable hydrogen hub.

“Clean hydrogen is the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of energy technologies and a solution to decarbonizing the industries we cannot live without,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “President Biden and Vice President Harris have developed a modern industrial strategy to build a clean hydrogen industry here at home—with California and the ARCHES Hydrogen Hub leading the way.”

The group traveled in the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger ferry, then on AC Transit and SamTrans hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, to the True Zero Hydrogen Fuel Station, which can support 200 semi-trucks.

“California has led the nation with ambitious, innovative goals to combat the climate crisis, and today we’re showcasing the promise of California’s renewable hydrogen-powered future,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). “From the ports to our state’s population centers to our rural communities, ARCHES will catalyze the clean hydrogen economy in California. I’m glad to have partnered with the Biden-Harris Administration to secure over $1 billion for ARCHES as we take a major step toward achieving our state’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals.”

“Today’s launch marks a transformative moment for California’s clean energy future,” said Angelina Galiteva, CEO of ARCHES. “ARCHES is excited and honored to accelerate California’s hydrogen journey, driving innovative projects that will not only establish a thriving clean hydrogen ecosystem but also enable us to decarbonize all sectors of the economy while creating lasting economic air quality and environmental benefits for all Californians.”

Why it’s important

Cuts up to 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions every year – equivalent to the pollution of 445,000 gasoline-powered cars annually;

Creates an estimated 220,000 new jobs including 130,000 in construction and 90,000 permanent jobs;

Estimated $2.95 billion per year in economic value from better health and health cost savings;

At least 40% of benefits from projects will flow to disadvantaged communities through community-directed investments workforce training and family-supporting jobs.

How we got here

California released the world’s first plan to achieve net-zero carbon pollution which will utilize hydrogen to cut pollution and ramp up clean energy;

Governor Newsom directed GO-Biz develop California’s Hydrogen Market Development Strategy employing an all-of-government approach building up California’s clean renewable hydrogen market;

California submitted an application April 2023 through Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) statewide public-private partnership build framework for California's renewable clean hydrogen hub.

The $12.6 billion agreement signed July includes up $1.2 billion federal funding from federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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