U.S. Reps. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Conor Lamb (D-PA) introduced last week the Clean Hydrogen Energy Act (H.R. 4909), which aims to make a historic investment into researching and developing clean hydrogen technologies while developing a clean hydrogen economy.
The legislation would create regional hydrogen hubs to connect producers and users, as well as invest in measures to drive down the cost of “green” hydrogen.
“In the fight against climate change, hydrogen has the potential to be the best tool we have,” Doyle said. “Hydrogen can decarbonize transportation, power generation, and the industrial sector all while utilizing existing infrastructure and fuel supplies. The U.S. needs to make strong investments into reducing the cost of making clean hydrogen and in developing its end uses, and this legislation does just that.”
The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Energy to create a technologically and economically feasible national strategy to facilitate widescale production, processing, delivery, storage, and use of clean hydrogen. Additionally, the bill would create a hydrogen R&D program and develop four hydrogen “hubs” in geographically diverse areas focused on the end uses of power generation, transportation, home and commercial heating, and industry.
“Providing funding for fuel cell and hydrogen technology paves the way for our nation’s clean energy future,” Fitzpatrick said. “We must commit to investing in clean energy technologies to reduce our carbon emissions while creating new American job opportunities. Now is the time to pass this much-needed legislation which advances the production, distribution, and storage of clean hydrogen.”