We’ve heard talk of hydrogen as a fuel source for years, but now it appears it’s becoming much more than just talk — and that West Virginia will be a major part of the effort.

The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, or ARCH2 for short, is one of seven regional hydrogen hub projects to receive a part of the $7 billion funding that was provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The ARCH2 project received up to $925 million to help fuel the project that includes locations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

ARCH2 will consist of hydrogen pipelines, multiple hydrogen fueling stations and permanent CO2 storage infrastructure in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to information from the Biden Administration.

As Steven Allen Adams of Ogden Newspapers reported from a pre-announcement briefing, the ARCH2 project isn’t a single location, but a network of linked production nodes, with five in West Virginia, three in Ohio and two in Pennsylvania. The network would cover several hundred miles.

Locations in West Virginia are Belle in Kanawha County, Fairmont in Marion County, Washington in Wood County, North Point Pleasant in Mason County and Follansbee in Brooke County.

Projections call for 3,000 permanent jobs and more than 18,000 jobs during construction.

The belief, too, is that the federal funding and development of hydrogen will lead to billion of dollars of private investment as well as additional downstream production opportunities.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, said the $925 million provided to ARCH2 is expected to unlock $6 billion in private sector funds.

“This means West Virginia will be the new epicenter of hydrogen in the United States of America,” Manchin said. “We won the hub because of the hard work of countless individuals and organizations, and I could not be prouder to be making this announcement today.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. said Friday’s announcement is a “major win for the ARCH2 team and for future economic development and energy production in West Virginia.”

“Since we included language and funding for a hydrogen hub competition in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and at every stage since, I consistently supported efforts to help make this project a reality. I’m thrilled for the ARCH2 team, and am so proud West Virginia will continue its tradition as an innovative, energy-producing state through a regional hydrogen hub.”

Capito has been a member of the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Working Group along with Manchin and Gov. Jim Justice since it was launched in February 2022. All deserve credit for fostering this development, as does former Rep. David McKinley, who was an integral part of the effort that emphasized the West Virginia project while he was in office.

This working group has helped to bring major energy players into the fold, including Battelle, a Berkshire Hathaway company that will be project manager. It is expected to open, in collaboration with West Virginia University Innovation Corporation, the ARCH2 Program Office on the university’s campus in Morgantown, according to a press release.

The Battelle release indicates the effort will be “supported by a world-class Program Management Office team, including GTI Energy, Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), and TRC Companies.”

“Key project development partners include Air Liquide, The Chemours Company, CNX Resources Corp, Dominion Energy Ohio, Empire Diversified Energy, EQT Corporation, Fidelis New Energy, First Mode, Hog Lick Aggregates, Hope Gas Inc., Independence Hydrogen Inc., KeyState Energy, MPLX, Plug Power, and TC Energy.”

The sheer volume of high-profile players is a strong indication that the ARCH2 project is much, much more than just talk and well deserving of the funding.

While we’re sure it will take several years to see the impact, the ARCH2 project gives West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania a clear place at the table, utilizing the region’s abundance of natural gas to fuel further clean energy production with hydrogen.

The talk of many years of things to come in the future has arrived in West Virginia.