Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York has signed a multi-state agreement along with Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and they will join dozens of corporations and universities to develop a proposal to become one of at least four regional clean energy hydrogen hubs designated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The proposal is being developed in response to availability of $8 billion in the IIJA for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs that will create jobs to expand use of clean hydrogen.
The consortium includes an initial group of 40 hydrogen ecosystem partners that have committed to collaborate with NYSERDA, NYPA, and ESD on the proposal development to advance hydrogen projects. Partnering states will also coordinate with their respective state entities to help align the consortium’s efforts with each state’s climate and clean energy goals. These include Connecticut’s Global Warming Solutions Act goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, Massachusetts’ goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 and New Jersey’s Global Warming Response Act goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.
“New York is proud to lead the way in forming bold partnerships to combat the existential threat of climate change,” Governor Hochul said. “Expanding the hydrogen market is critical to New York’s aggressive pursuit of clean-energy alternatives that will supercharge our economy and advance our climate goals. Coalitions like this one serve as a model to the nation on the collaboration that is required to meet this moment and bring us closer to a carbon-neutral future, and I thank Governors Lamont, Baker and Murphy for their partnership.”
“Connecticut has long been a leader in addressing the climate crisis and in researching and developing innovative technologies, and this exciting partnership unites both of those key leadership areas,” Governor Lamont said. “We’re proud to share a commitment to climate leadership, fuel cell innovation, and clean energy jobs with our neighboring states, which will position us competitively to bring federal investment in clean hydrogen to our region.”
“The urgency of climate change and the implementation of our net-zero by 2050 strategy requires a comprehensive approach, which includes the research and deployment of technologies that will allow more cost-effective clean energy in the future,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “Today’s announcement is a critical step for regional collaboration in integrating this clean energy resource into our existing climate strategy, and Massachusetts looks forward to working with our state partners on this initiative.”
“Clean hydrogen has the promise to expand New Jersey’s diverse clean energy portfolio,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “Clean hydrogen technology has the potential to improve net greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutant impacts. Joining together with our regional partners will allow us to build a strong coalition for the development of clean hydrogen technology and cultivate economic growth and opportunity for New Jersey.”
With the execution of these agreements, the partners will work together to:
- Define the shared vision and plans for the regional hydrogen hub that can advance safe green hydrogen energy innovation and investment to address climate change, while improving the health, resiliency, and economic development of the region’s residents.
- Advance a Hub proposal that makes climate and environmental justice central to its strategy, which will deliver opportunities and improved quality of life to under resourced areas across the region.
- Perform research and analysis necessary to support the hub proposal and align on approach to quantifying greenhouse gas emissions reductions as a result of deploying this technology.
- Develop a framework to ensure the ecosystem for innovation, production, infrastructure, and related workforce development is shared across all partner states.
- Support environmentally responsible opportunities to develop hydrogen, in accordance with participating states’ policies.
In addition to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, the partners include:
Alliance Energy Group LLC
Alternative Aviation Fuels LLC
BAE Systems
Bloom Energy Corporation
CALSTART
Climate Jobs NY
Columbia University
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
Cornell University
Cummins, Inc.
Daroga Power
Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc.
Ecolectro, Inc.
Empire State Development (ESD)
FuelCell Energy
Invenergy Hydrogen LLC
Liberty Utilities (St. Lawrence Gas) Corp.
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
National Grid
National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium
New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST)
New York Power Authority (NYPA)
New York University
Next Hydrogen Corporation
Nucor Steel Auburn, Inc.
Ohmium International
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.
Partnership Fund for New York City
Plug Power Inc.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Standard Hydrogen Corporation
Stony Brook University / Advanced Energy Center (AERTC)
The City College of New York (CUNY)
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Vermont Gas Systems (VGS)
WATT Fuel Cell Corporation