Posted on October 22, 2023
The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub has received an invitation from the Department of Energy for negotiations to receive awards of up to $750 million for its programs across several states, after its application was among seven nationally picked for funding.
MACH2 is part of the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub (MAHH), a coalition of more than 60 leading organizations across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. It runs a strategically diversified and integrated Hydrogen Hub aimed at decarbonizing industries and connecting with other hydrogen hubs in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey.
‘Among Largest U.S. Programs’
President Joe Biden has set aside $7 billion — termed “one of the largest advanced manufacturing investments in the history of this nation” — for the clean energy program.
“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,” said Collin O’Mara, chair of MACH2, and president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. O’Mara served as Delaware Gov. Jack A. Markell’s secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control during 2009-14.
MACH2’s successful bid for funding was the result of a collaborative effort between industry, labor, government and community groups across the region, and “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,” said MACH2 CEO Marty Wade, who also serves as CEO of New Jersey-based Giga Carbon Neutrality.
“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,” she added.
Ongoing R&D
The Department of Energy’s H2Hubs program is part of Biden’s Investing in America agenda. It will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen, reducing 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.
The MACH2 program will bring substantial investment in R&D and workforce development in a partnership with multiple universities and organizations. They include 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, and DESCA.
MACH2’s Hydrogen Hub includes Connect Airlines; Connected DMV; Dominion Energy; Exelon Corp.; Montgomery County Government, Md; Universal Hydrogen Co.; Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center; WGL Holdings; and others. It is supported by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Prince George’s County Community College, the University of Maryland and more than 150 additional organizations across the region.
