Rep. Mike Levin, Rep. George Whitesides & Sen. Alex Padilla Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral CA Delegation Push to Preserve ARCHES Funding
The network of hydrogen hubs promotes American energy independence, lowers costs for consumers, and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs across California
Washington, D.C.– Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27), and Senator Alex Padilla led a bipartisan, bicameral delegation of members of Congress to urge the Department of Energy (DOE) to preserve funding for hydrogen production hubs, specifically California's Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES).
In a letter to the DOE, the members write:
“As bipartisan members of the California delegation, we write with concern about reports that the U.S. Department of Energy is planning to cancel the hydrogen hub award commitment made to California’s Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES)… As California’s Hydrogen Hub, ARCHES anticipates the creation of 220,000 good paying jobs, from research and development (R&D) to manufacturing and maintenance of renewable hydrogen systems. This, in turn, promotes public-private partnerships to expand our STEM workforce.”
The letter followed reports that the Department of Energy is considering cutting funding for the development of four hydrogen production hubs. The City of Lancaster, in Rep. Whitesides’ district, was the first city to join ARCHES, alongside industry, government and academic stakeholders from across California. Their Element Resources project in Lancaster was predicted to generate over 200 construction jobs in the area.
“ARCHES is at the forefront of energy development in our state, and it is helping to create good paying jobs and lower energy costs,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “I’m proud to join my California colleagues in a bipartisan fashion to defend this project. We stand united in our efforts to protect energy projects that create jobs, lower costs, and promote energy innovation.”
“The bipartisan support for ARCHES shown in this letter underscores its importance to California and the nation,” said Rep. George Whitesides. “I’m proud to represent Lancaster, the first city to join ARCHES, and support this effort to bring many well-paid jobs to our area and California, while lowering our energy costs. I urge the DOE to support this crucial program and preserve its funding, therefore expanding our workforce and economic opportunity.”
“Kickstarting the market for hydrogen power across California will accelerate the creation of good-paying jobs while investing in key sectors across our economy,” said Senator Padilla. “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that California’s ARCHES hydrogen hub is essential for lowering fuel costs and promoting American energy dominance and security. I will continue working hard to protect the resources I secured for ARCHES and other critical hydrogen hubs through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
In 2023, the Department of Energy awarded the ARCHES network an initial grant under the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program. As part of the H2Hubs, seven recipients were funded to establish a national hydrogen network. With this and private and state matching funds, ARCHES is projected to create over 200,000 jobs in California and generate more than $2.95 billion annually in economic value from 2030.
The full letter can be viewed here.
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