The United States Department of Energy announced today that the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) was selected for award negotiations to receive up to $750 million in funding from the Hydrogen Hubs program to support the development of a clean hydrogen hub–a network of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure–in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey. MACH2 was ranked among the most pro-labor and greenest hubs in the nation. All projects will be constructed with project labor agreements and all clean hydrogen production will come from renewable energy, nuclear energy, and capturing wastewater emissions (no fossil fuel extraction). It was chosen as one of seven regional clean hydrogen hubs nationally.
The Department of Energy’s H2Hubs will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the H2Hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen—helping generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation. Together, they will also reduce 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide) emissions from end-uses each year—an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars—and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country while supporting healthier communities and strengthening America’s energy security.
“The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub will play an essential role in advancing our region’s economic and environmental goals by creating more than twenty thousand well-paying jobs in the production, delivery, and use of zero-emission green and pink hydrogen to repower our region’s industrial facilities, transportation systems, and agriculture sectors. This historic federal investment will help ensure that our clean energy future is union-made here in the U.S., advance environmental justice by reducing pollution in frontline communities, and achieve deep emission reductions in hard-to-abate sectors. We are incredibly grateful to President Joe Biden, Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons, Bob Casey, John Fetterman, Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, Representatives Donald Norcross, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Brendan Boyle, Brian Fitzpatrick, Madeline Dean, Dwight Evans, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlihan, Governors Carney, Shapiro and Wolf, Mayor Kenney, and all of the partners in labor, business, academia, communities, and non-profit organizations who came together across the tri-state area to make today’s announcement possible,” said Collin O’Mara, Chair of MACH2 and President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.
“Unlocking the full potential of hydrogen—a versatile fuel that can be made from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country—is crucial to achieving President Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable clean energy options for American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With this historic investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is laying the foundation for a new, American-led industry that will propel the global clean energy transition while creating high quality jobs and delivering healthier communities in every pocket of the nation.”
MACH2’s successful bid for funding was the result of a collaborative effort between industry, labor, government and community groups across the region. “The strength of our application speaks to the assets our region has to offer–a robust workforce and union labor, access to world-class academic and research institutions, a robust innovation ecosystem, and strong and continued engagement with communities,” said Marty Wade, CEO of MACH2. “MACH2 will only serve to further position our region as a national leader in the clean energy economy.”
“We have a well-trained, well-prepared union workforce ready to go. The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub is an important investment opportunity for Philadelphia’s diverse workforce to stand at the forefront of the green energy economy,” said Ryan Boyer, head of the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council. “We’re proud to have partnered with MACH2 and look forward to contributing to continued economic development and the growth of good, union jobs in the region.”
“The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) has the potential to revolutionize the nation’s energy sector and make Pennsylvania a leader in clean energy development while driving economic growth and creating good-paying union jobs. By leveraging our infrastructure and expanding it strategically, we can accelerate the adoption of state-of-the-art hydrogen technology that provides countless new job opportunities and paves the way for a more sustainable, greener future,” said Jim Snell, Business Manager of Steamfitters Local 420.
“The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub will create green jobs and clean energy to power our economy for generations to come. The men and women of the union construction trades are proud to be partners in this major initiative that has the potential to transform our workforce and improve quality of life throughout the region,” said Daniel Cosner, President of the Southern New Jersey Building Trades.
MACH2’s selection will result in a substantial investment in research and development and workforce development in partnership with area universities and organizations including University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technology & Community College, University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney University, Rowan University, the Collegiate Consortium, Philadelphia Works, DE Workforce Development Board, FAME, Inc. and DESCA.
“Cheyney University, as part of its workforce development initiative, will design a regional safety training lab. This lab will provide opportunities for individuals to gain the knowledge and skill as entry-level employees, in addition to exposing underrepresented populations to careers in clean energy,” Dr. Pamela Keye, Chief Social Equity Officer at Cheyney University.
“Collaboration is the key to success in strengthening our region’s economy and advancing sustainable energy sources for the future. The University of Delaware is proud to lead MACH2’s higher education workforce development initiatives in partnership with Cheyney, Rowan and Penn. Working together, we will provide new educational and research opportunities for our students and grow our region’s skilled workforce for the high-paying clean-hydrogen jobs of today and the future,” said University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis.
“The University of Pennsylvania is thrilled to contribute to the goals of the MACH2 to advance clean hydrogen energy. With partners in the Hub, we will develop groundbreaking research that generates technologies and implementation that can transform the energy base of the region. We will help develop educational programs that support the new workforce. The opportunity for academic institutions to collaborate with industry partners and the community is exciting and is the best path to success,” said Dawn Bonnell, PhD, Senior Vice Provost for Research at University of Pennsylvania.
“We are excited to support the MACH2 partnership. This new green energy industry will require skilled labor to produce, store and transport hydrogen. Rowan University stands ready to build the region’s new workforce, along with our training and industry partners. We will offer flexible, accessible and affordable pathways to credentials and degrees, starting as early as high school and going all the way through the Ph.D. level. We’ll also work with our industry partners to ensure those degrees lead to local, meaningful careers. This stackable credit education model is the piece that’s missing from today’s economy,” said Tony Lowman, Ph.D., Rowan University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
“The MACH2 region has a significant amount of existing infrastructure that will form the foundation of the hub. We’re taking assets that are no longer in use and repurposing them to deliver clean hydrogen,” said president of Schuyler Energy Logistics and Marketing, Joseph Colella.
For more information on MACH2, clean hydrogen and the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, visit: https://mach-2.com
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“This is a big deal. Hydrogen is a clean fuel of the future, one of the ways we can pollute less. Our region has been chosen for a federal infusion of hundreds of millions of dollars that will create thousands of jobs and show how hydrogen can be made, transported and used in a real-world way,” Delaware Governor John Carney said. “Delaware companies and institutions have already led on hydrogen and now will play a big role in the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub. When we have talked about the opportunities for Delaware from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law championed by President Biden and our congressional delegation, this has been one of the big ones and we got it. I’m looking forward to getting to work with our partners in the region.”
“Today, Pennsylvania is positioning itself as the leader of our country’s clean energy future and creating thousands of new, good-paying union jobs,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “Since my campaign for Governor, I have been a strong supporter of this investment in our Commonwealth and my Administration has worked closely with organized labor, industry partners, and our neighboring states to bring a regional clean hydrogen hub here to the Delaware Valley. I thank President Biden for his Administration’s belief in Pennsylvania, Senators Casey and Fetterman for their leadership, and Mayor Kenney for his strong partnership to secure this win for our Commonwealth.”
“The MACH2 Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub will be a transformative project for our city and region, creating thousands of family-sustaining jobs and tapping into our vast talent pool,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Over the next decade, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see that our current energy workers are part of a just transition to the new energy economy and ensure that the next generation of workers gets a chance to participate in the future of energy here in Philadelphia.”
“The green light of the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub is wonderful news for the future of Delaware, our nation, and our planet,” said Senator Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Clean hydrogen has a critical role in reducing emissions while creating good-paying jobs in Delaware and across our country. As a Senate co-author of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I’m so proud to see the Department of Energy acknowledge that our region has the first-class labor workforce, strong industrial presence, and existing infrastructure necessary to support clean hydrogen production. MACH2 will allow Delaware to cement our status as a clean energy leader and help advance our nation’s climate goals.”
“Today is a monumental day for Delaware and its role in the future of our nation’s clean energy economy. Delaware possesses the resources, infrastructure, and workforce that make it an ideal location for one of the country’s first hydrogen hubs, and I’m glad the Department of Energy has recognized these strengths by selecting the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub,” said Senator Coons, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. “MACH2 will create a new generation of good-paying jobs for Delawareans, support new industries that can work hand-in-hand with our universities and leading businesses, and ensure that the First State plays a leading role in reducing our nation’s carbon footprint. I am proud to have advocated tirelessly for this proposal and can’t wait to see these projects come to fruition.”
“Today’s award of the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub is a touchstone moment as we build a clean energy economy across our nation,” said Representative Blunt Rochester, member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. “That the Mid-Atlantic Hub has been named as one of the regional hubs is testament to the remarkable workforce and resources throughout Delaware and our neighboring states. I’m immensely proud of the work of all of the partners who came together to make our proposal possible and am even more excited at the prospect of working with these remarkable stakeholders as we build a Hub that creates good-paying union jobs, clean energy, and helps power our economy.”
“MACH 2 is an exciting opportunity for South Jersey and the entire Mid-Atlantic region that will transform our regional economy and create thousands of good-paying union jobs and careers throughout our region while also reducing pollution and building a more sustainable future. The construction and operation of MACH 2 will provide immense benefits and opportunities to our local communities and workforce who are well positioned to lead the clean energy future. Beyond the economic impacts, MACH 2 will also decrease pollutants in the air, enhance public health outcomes, and ensure a greener and more sustainable future for South Jersey and our entire region. MACH 2 is poised to revolutionize our region and presents an unparalleled opportunity to reduce pollution and ensure a clean and healthy environment while creating good family-sustaining union jobs that are at the forefront of the clean hydrogen economy. This type of investment would not be possible without the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which continues to deliver for working families across the country. There is no better place for a green hydrogen hub than right here in South Jersey and the Mid- Atlantic, and I look forward to working toward a prosperous green energy future that will serve generations to come,” said Congressman Donald Norcross.
“We know that there will be certain industrial and transportation end uses that will be hard to decarbonize, so we see a specific, limited role that green hydrogen can play facilitating the clean energy transition. We are pleased that the MACH2 hydrogen hub does not rely on blue hydrogen, which may increase lifecycle emissions, and does not propose dangerous and expensive residential hydrogen use. It is of utmost importance that government agencies and project developers conduct a robust and transparent engagement process with residents and community groups as this new infrastructure is built out in order to ensure genuine climate and community benefits,” said Tom Schuster, Director of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter.