MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and a member of the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition, traveled to Morgantown, W.Va. where she participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the official award announcement for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) and the opening of their Program Office. ARCH2’s Program Office is located within West Virginia University’s (WVU) Innovation Corporation’s facility.

“It was excellent to congratulate ARCH2 on securing the investment needed to launch the hydrogen hub and cut the ribbon on their Program Office in Morgantown today. The partners involved in today’s celebration showcase the collaboration that helped to get this project off the ground, and marks an important step towards establishing a hydrogen network here in our country. ARCH2 is helping continue West Virginia’s proud legacy of contributing to our nation’s energy security in new and innovative ways. I will continue to support and advocate for the policies needed to help the hydrogen economy thrive,” Ranking Member Capito said.

BACKGROUND:

A timeline of the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition’s work on ARCH2 is available below:

  • On July 31, 2024, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice announced the initial $30 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to officially launch ARCH2 in West Virginia.
  • On October 13, 2023, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice celebrated ARCH2’s selection as one of the DOE Hydrogen Hubs, making it eligible for up to $925 million in federal support.
  • On April 11, 2023, Senators Capito and Manchin and Governor Justice applauded ARCH2’s Application to Compete for Regional Hydrogen Hub.
  • On January 17, 2023, Senators Capito and Manchin and Governor Justice applauded ARCH2’s announcement that the DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations encouraged the Hub to submit a full application.
  • On September 28, 2022, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice announced their support for the new Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, comprised of over 40 entities.
  • On July 28, 2022, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice convened a robust group of energy industry leaders for a morning of panel discussions and presentations.
  • On April 28, 2022, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice welcomed bipartisan members of West Virginia’s legislative leadership to the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition, including Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw (R-W.Va.), President of the Senate Craig Blair (R-W.Va.), Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin (D-W.Va.), and House Minority Leader Doug Skaff (D-W.Va.).
  • On March 21, 2022, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice submitted the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition’s official response to the DOE’s first step in the process to select winning hydrogen hubs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 
  • On February 25, 2022, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice convened the initial organizing meeting of the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition. 
  • On February 15, 2022, Senators Capito and Manchin, Rep. McKinley, and Governor Justice announced the launch of the West Virginia Hydrogen Hub Coalition to collaborate and support a strong West Virginia candidate to be chosen to develop a hydrogen hub, funded through $9.5 billion allocated to the DOE by the IIJA.

The IIJA included $9.5 billion for hydrogen, including $8 billion for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs that will jumpstart the production, transport, and use of clean hydrogen across the U.S. economy; $1 billion for a Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program to reduce costs of hydrogen produced from clean electricity; and $500 million for Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling initiatives to support equipment manufacturing and strong domestic supply chains. The legislation also requires one hub be located in Appalachia as the largest natural gas producing region. 

Additionally, Senator Capito has pressed the U.S. Department of Treasury on their proposed guidance from the IRS regarding 45V tax credits for hydrogen, which would impose burdensome requirements that jeopardize the viability of future energy projects across the country. Read Senator Capito’s full letter to the Treasury Department here.

Photos from today’s event are included below:

Speaking

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) provides remarks at ARCH2’s ribbon cutting ceremony in Morgantown, W.Va. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Ribbon

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) cuts the ribbon on ARCH2’s Program Office in Morgantown, W.Va. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

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