ARCHES – the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems – administered California’s grant application for a green hydrogen hub under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the H2Hubs program will be one of the largest investments in the history of the Department of Energy.

Most of the funding is likely to go to the San Pedro Bay ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and to the Port of Oakland.

The DoE funds, which will be equally matched by the ports and their tenants, will involve deploying hydrogen fuel cell cargo-handling equipment and mobile hydrogen-fueling trucks or stations in the ports’ terminals. Subsequent phases will add additional cargo-handling equipment and support the statewide deployment of 5,000 hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks.

“Investing federal dollars to establish a regional clean hydrogen hub is a home run for both our climate and economy,” said US Rep Robert Garcia (California 42nd congressional district), who was mayor of Long Beach from 2014 to 2022.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are providing crucial funding that will drive the nation towards reduced pollution and harmful greenhouse emissions. We will continue to fight for projects that will improve the quality of life for our communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to support our infrastructure and environmental goals.”

“Today is a special day for California and for Los Angeles, said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “The money we are receiving will help seed a robust green hydrogen market to assist in the pursuit of zero-emissions operations.

“We know that we must protect and improve the health of communities directly impacted by port-related emissions and work towards a greener future while also ensuring that we create good paying jobs. This is a team effort and together, we are locking arms with the state and federal governments in order to create a greener and safer Los Angeles for all.”

Port of Oakland CEO Danny Wan said: “We are grateful to have outstanding federal, state, and local support for our vision to become a zero emissions seaport. It takes major investments to finance initiatives like hydrogen projects that will deliver a greener, cleaner environment.”