- October 6, 2023
Senator Murray Hosts PNW Hydrogen Association in Seattle, Discusses Push for Major Federal Clean Energy Funding
Senator Murray led other members of the PNW delegation in writing to Secretary Granholm in support of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association’s application for the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
A Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in Pacific NW would create thousands of jobs and highlight the PNW region’s ability to produce, store, and use green hydrogen to help address the climate crisis
***PHOTOS, B-ROLL HERE***
Seattle, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, hosted a roundtable with local leaders representing the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association to discuss her efforts to ensure that Washington state remains a climate leader, particularly on the nascent green hydrogen economy. Of note, Murray discussed her push to secure a major federal award for Washington state through the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program.
Senator Murray has been forceful in advocating for Washington state to be awarded the federal funding—earlier this year, she led a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm urging her to include the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association in the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program was created and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Senator Murray helped pass, to help communities across the country benefit from clean energy investments, good-paying jobs in the clean energy sector, and improved energy security.
Senator Murray was joined today by representatives from the Washington State Department of Commerce, Washington State Labor Council, Washington State University, and the Douglas County Public Utility District (PUD).
“Washington state is already a leader in clean energy—and further investments in green hydrogen give us the opportunity to take a huge step forward,” said Senator Murray. “I am making a big push with the Biden administration and Secretary Granholm directly to make clear that Washington state is exactly the right place to invest in groundbreaking green hydrogen infrastructure. I was glad to be able to hear from local leaders about the incredible work happening on the ground, and I am determined to make sure the Biden administration and everyone in that Other Washington recognize the potential that exists in Washington state.”
The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association is governed by a board of directors which includes public and private sector leaders, Tribal Nations, utilities, labor, and environmental representatives, and their proposal was supported by the state governments of Washington and Oregon, which have continually demonstrated a commitment to government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations, coordination with labor unions, and a dedication to environmental justice and community engagement during the development of large infrastructure projects.
If the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association is awarded federal funding through the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, they will be able to build out a robust network of hydrogen suppliers and off-takers in both the western and eastern parts of Washington and Oregon. A Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in the Pacific Northwest would create thousands of jobs, demonstrate the region’s ability to produce, process, deliver, store, and use green hydrogen, and would also serve as a national model of how an integrated green hydrogen network can facilitate the creation of an affordable and self-sustaining green hydrogen economy.
The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association’s proposal incorporates work done by regional efforts—including Maritime Blue, Washington VERTical, and the Consortium for Hydrogen and Renewably Generated E-Fuels (CHARGE)—and lays out a plan to build a complete and integrated green hydrogen technology stack across Washington and Oregon. Senator Murray, as Assistant Majority Leader in the last Congress, was instrumental in passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act—which collectively made historic investments to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure, turbocharge the clean energy economy and American manufacturing, and ensure our country stays on the cutting-edge of clean energy technology.
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