Ohio and Business Community Show Support for Appalachian Hydrogen Hub
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio has joined an industry coalition intended to bring together producers, end users, technology experts, and infrastructure development to advance the production, use, and delivery of hydrogen in Appalachia.
The initiative, called the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, or Arch2, is supported by the states of Ohio, West Virginia, EQT Corp., Battelle, GTI Energy, and Allegheny Science & Technology, a technology-consulting firm based in West Virginia.
The objective is to create a clean hydrogen hub that is based in West Virginia, according to earlier reports.
“Ohio continues to support efforts to lead in the innovation of new technology, including the clean hydrogen market,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. “My administration will continue to support these efforts so that Ohioans may share in the benefits from the development of hydrogen as part of the country’s long-term energy strategy.”
Arch2 is expected to be a major economic and environmental investment that will benefit the entire Appalachia region, the organization said. The region is the ideal location for a clean hydrogen hub, because of its unique access to low-cost natural gas feedstock, end-user demand, workforce and technology capability, and carbon sequestration potential.
“Arch2 will be a key foundational component of America’s transition toward de-carbonization and we appreciate the support from the DeWine administration and leaders in our business community throughout the state,” said Battelle President and CEO Lou Von Thaer.
“The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the proposal for funding Arch2,” said Ohio Chamber CEO Steve Stivers. “Converting carbon emissions into hydrogen is critical in our efforts to have both reliable and clean energy and in establishing the Buckeye State as a leader for next-generation hydrogen jobs.”
The Appalachian region provides significant existing resources for Arch2, including infrastructure required for low-cost natural gas production and storage, existing pipelines and transportation networks, and vast end-use markets across Appalachia, the Midwest and Northeast.
The region also boasts a highly skilled energy workforce—as well as support from labor organizations, environmental non-profits, academic institutions, and community stakeholders—all of which will be integral to project development and associated job retention and creation, particularly in disadvantaged and underserved communities.
“The Arch2 hydrogen hub is a perfect example of diversifying our energy portfolio, and doing so with clean energy,” said Pat Tiberi, President and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable. “I applaud Governor DeWine’s Administration for its support of this project, as well as Battelle for its leadership in convening this partnership to ensure that Ohio remains a leader when it comes to innovation technology.”
“The diversity of Ohio’s manufacturing industry that can utilize hydrogen as a fuel source is No. 1 in the Midwest, and natural gas production in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania is leading the U.S.,” said JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Collaborations with Ohio companies have led world-changing innovations for generations, making Ohio an ideal destination for this hydrogen hub.”
The Arch2 team is composed of entities with operations across the Appalachian region spanning the hydrogen value chain as well as energy technology organizations, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory, consultants, academic institutions, community organizations, and NGOs that will provide commercial, technical, and programmatic leadership for the development and build-out of the hub.
Additional support comes from leaders of the Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance, which announced in October that it would actively participate in the campaign to establish and secure funding for Arch2.Ohio and Business Community Show Support for Appalachian Hydrogen Hub
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
