• ARCH2 awarded up to $925 million to develop a clean hydrogen hub in Appalachia. • The initiative aims to jumpstart a regional clean hydrogen economy and bring billions in public and private investments. • The U.S. Department of Energy selected ARCH2 for the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program, a long-term initiative. • ARCH2 received $30 million for Phase 1, expected to last up to 36 months starting July 2024. • Future federal funding will be based on achieving specific milestones. • The project will produce clean hydrogen to decarbonize manufacturing and transportation sectors. • Thousands of new jobs will be created, with a focus on training local workers. • The program commits to ensuring that 40% of benefits reach disadvantaged communities. • ARCH2 will provide further community engagement details in an upcoming webinar. • The initiative involves collaboration among government, private industry, and community groups in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Agreement Reached to Build Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2):

• ARCH2 awarded up to $925 million over project lifetime to jumpstart a regional clean hydrogen economy.
• Appalachian region will benefit from billions of dollars in public and private investments catalyzed by ARCH2.

July 31, 2024 06:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time

MORGANTOWN, W. Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) has executed a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to receive up to $925 million in federally funded dollars to spearhead the development of a clean hydrogen hub in Appalachia. This federal funding will unlock billions of dollars in private sector investment to create thousands of well-paying jobs in Appalachia’s emerging hydrogen economy. In partnership with OCED, ARCH2 will create a clean, economically viable, and socially equitable hydrogen ecosystem within Appalachia, revitalizing local communities impacted by the energy transition.

H2Hub Program Background

In October 2023, the DOE selected ARCH2 as one of seven hubs from across the nation to enter award negotiations for the DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program (H2Hubs). The H2Hubs are a long-term initiative that aim to create regional clusters of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure that will form the foundation of a national clean hydrogen network. The program is divided into four phases that span more than a decade. ARCH2 was awarded $30 million for Phase 1, which is expected to last up to 36 months, starting in July 2024. The remaining portions of the allocated federal dollars will be unlocked in future phases as the hub successfully reaches specific milestones set by the DOE.

Regional Benefits

ARCH2 will bring significant economic, environmental, and social benefits to the Appalachian region, including: