On July 17, 2024, the US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded up to $1.2 billion to advance clean hydrogen projects in California. [1] The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) and the DOE announced the signing of a $12.6 billion agreement, with $1.2 billion from the DOE and $11.4 billion in public and private matching funds. The investment will directly reduce California’s reliance on fossil fuels and marks a significant step toward achieving a carbon-neutral economy by 2045. The California Hydrogen Hub is a network of clean hydrogen production sites that incorporate multiple facilities, to decarbonize public transport, heavy-duty trucking, and port operations by 2 million metric tons per year. The expansion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in heavy-duty transportation aims to not only drive improvements in air quality but also to facilitate greater connectivity of a West Coast freight network that connects to the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub.

The ARCHES projects will cover the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland, heavy-duty trucks and transit buses, clean power in power plants, and a marine research vessel known as the Scripps Marine Vessel. Over 10 sites will be used to fuel the aforementioned projects and kickstart the hydrogen ecosystem.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/oced/articles/award-wednesdays-july-17-2024