Legislation would design southeastern Pennsylvania as hydrogen hub

Legislation recently introduced in the state House of Representatives would urge the Biden administration to designate southeastern Pennsylvania as a hydrogen hub.

H.R. 178 aims to create jobs developing carbon-free clean hydrogen and to utilize the state’s natural resources.

The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $8 billion over five years to four regional hubs for clean hydrogen production. This includes research hubs developing clean energy and decarbonization technologies.

The act also provides approximately $60 billion for clean energy transmission. The new Grid Deployment Authority has been tasked with overseeing the research and development of transmission and distribution technologies and the demonstration of projects and research hubs.

In Pennsylvania, the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex in Delaware County would be the ideal location for the hub, according to the bill. The former Sunoco refinery facility currently stores natural gas liquids and serves as a transportation and export hub primarily to Europe.

State Rep. Steve Malagari (D-Montgomery County) introduced the bill.

“Though carbon capture retrofits aid our economy and environment now, Pennsylvania should also prioritize being on the front lines for emerging technologies and producing clean hydrogen through electrolysis, which experts expect to be used as a clean energy source for generations to come,” Malagari said.