Leader Russo Announces Approval of $925M for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub

COLUMBUS — House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has allocated up to $925M in federally funded dollars to spearhead the development of the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2). These funds were awarded by the Biden-Harris Administration as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to accelerate the domestic market for low-cost, clean hydrogen.  

“With a highly skilled and unionized energy workforce, this investment has the potential to create and preserve thousands of high-paying jobs and generate billions of dollars in public and private sector investments,” said Leader Russo. “President Biden and Vice President Harris’ commitment to energy efficiency will allow Ohio to rebuild and revitalize its communities under the guidance of its residents.”

The Justice40 Initiative, an executive order issued by President Biden in 2021, requires 40% of the benefits stemming from federal investments in clean energy, and training and workforce development, among others, to flow to disadvantaged communities. The ARCH2 project includes a Community Benefits Plan that implements Justice40 to strengthen the Appalachian region while mitigating current and potential burdens by engaging with community stakeholders and ensuring the flow of benefits back into the community.