Today, Connected DMV and a cross-sector coalition of more than 40 partners representing Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia announced that the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub (MAHH) is pursuing one of the U.S. Department of Energy regional clean hydrogen hubs backed by a total of $8 billion in federal funding. The coalition includes a cross-section of community organizations, utilities, energy producers, hydrogen technology providers, national labs, colleges and universities, and groups focused on innovation, environmental justice, and workforce development.
The 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act calls for funding multiple regional hubs dedicated to developing and expanding clean hydrogen infrastructure. These new market hubs will create clean energy jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and position America to compete in the clean energy market on a global scale.
The MAHH is strategically engaging market participants, developing solutions to meet market demand, and leveraging key market enablers to create a sustainable, diversified, commercially viable hydrogen ecosystem. The Hub is focused on delivering regional community benefits and mobilizing the Department of Energy’s long-term vision of an integrated national network.
The MAHH integrates a portfolio of high-impact hydrogen demand and clean hydrogen production into a regional network of diverse use cases to accelerate scale, drive down costs, and spur innovation. As identified in the DMV Hydrogen Greenprint report, the MAHH stands to deliver, by 2030, economic and societal benefits to the region including 9,000 new jobs, a $1.7 billion increase in annual economic activity, and a $150 million decrease of social costs of carbon, such as reduced burden on the healthcare system.
“We are pleased that our Hydrogen Greenprint work which began over 18 months ago, directly aligns with the federal government priorities,” said Stu Solomon, President and CEO of Connected DMV. “Through the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Department of Energy’s ‘Energy Earthshots Initiative,’ we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform existing infrastructure that has served us well into a cleaner, more modern network. The Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub coalition comprises the diverse and industrial strength set of leading partners required to drive a clean energy transition that also serves our region’s broader community and economic interests.”
“Environmental justice is an essential priority for this coalition. To that end, the coalition is pursuing active and direct engagement with community partners to facilitate inclusive and effective delivery of equitable outcomes regardless of zip code. The coalition provides a forum for comprehensive input, transparency, and accountability to help achieve the proposed benefits with a strategic focus on underserved populations through the Council of Governments’ Equity Emphasis Areas,” said Chuck Bean, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Equitable workforce development is a strategic goal of the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub. The MAHH is advancing critical workforce development activities through its partners and its initiatives to drive significant job opportunities for the region, led by relationships and programs with community, universities and community colleges, organized labor, and other organizations. The team plans to create market-leading workforce and skills development opportunities, including a “live molecule” training center.
“Hydrogen will play an important role in Virginia’s clean energy transition and our path to a zero-carbon grid,” said Robert Blue, Chair, President and CEO of Dominion Energy. “From electricity to transportation and manufacturing, hydrogen will bring jobs, investment, and clean energy to every sector of Virginia’s economy. We’re excited to partner with Connected DMV and our coalition partners to deliver on this promise.”
Donald “Blue” Jenkins, President of Washington Gas, said, “Washington Gas is on a journey to deliver lower carbon fuels in the DMV and hydrogen is a pathway in that plan. With our extensive network of infrastructure and knowledgeable and skilled workforce, we are well positioned to connect the diverse collection of end-use applications to support a hydrogen ecosystem in the region. Projects like this allow us to support our customers in meeting their energy needs in a safe, reliable, secure, and affordable way, all while we collectively focus on how best to serve the region’s long-term energy goals.”
“Connected DMV serves as an effective, single coordinating organization led by the ideal team to implement and guide this critical project,” said Calvin Butler, President and Chief Operating Officer of Exelon. Three Exelon utilities—Baltimore Gas and Electric, Delmarva Power, and Pepco—serve customers in the region. “Coordinated clean energy development will help drive progress as we focus on environmental and economic benefits for our customers and communities.”
“Constellation is committed to advancing clean hydrogen as an essential tool in addressing the climate crisis and spurring innovation in the energy sector,” said Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation, the nation’s largest generator of carbon-free energy. “By bringing together a broad mix of energy producers, technology providers and public/private partners, the Mid-Atlantic hub partners can equitably accelerate the region’s transition to a carbon-free economy, improve public health and create good-paying jobs.”
The MAHH comprises a growing coalition of important regional stakeholders spanning all key sectors and jurisdictions. Participants include:
Alexandria/Arlington Regional Workforce Council
American Bureau of Shipping
Baltimore/DC-Metro Building Trades Unions
Baltimore Gas and Electric
BHE GT&S
Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health
Center for Energy Workforce Development
Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing
Competitive Power Ventures
Connect Airlines
Constellation Energy
Coronado Global Resources Inc.
Delmarva Power
Dominion Energy
Exelon
George Mason University
The George Washington University
Goodwill of Greater Washington
Hampton Roads Alliance
Independence Hydrogen, Inc.
K&L Gates
Commission on Environmental Justice & Sustainable Communities
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Montgomery County, Maryland
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Northern Virginia Community College
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Pepco
Port of Virginia
Prince George’s Community College
Quantum Loophole
ThinkBox Group
Universal Hydrogen
University of Maryland
Virginia Tech
Washington Gas
About Connected DMV
Connected DMV is an initiatives-based, charitable 501(c)(3) organization that works with regional organizations across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia – the DMV – to help drive ongoing improvements to social, digital, and physical infrastructure. Connected DMV focuses on initiatives that span local jurisdictions and require collaboration across the public, private, academia, and community sectors to best achieve the dual objectives of enduring economic growth and social equity. Learn more: www.connecteddmv.org
About the National Capital Hydrogen Center
The National Capital Hydrogen Center is an initiative of Connected DMV. It will accelerate the creation of a hydrogen ecosystem in Greater Washington and foster collaboration across organizations to support the national imperative to add hydrogen solutions to our country’s clean energy future. Connected DMV is creating this independent center to utilize the exceptional assets of our regional commercial, governmental, academic, community, and philanthropic organizations. The Center will plan the rollout of hydrogen infrastructure to rapidly deliver economically viable hydrogen projects, accelerating the scale and cost competitiveness. The project planning, execution and benefit delivery lifecycle will incorporate social equity and environmental justice as foundational principles consistent with the Connected DMV mission. Learn more: https://connecteddmv.org/hydrogen
About the DMV Hydrogen Greenprint
To learn more about the DMV Hydrogen Greenprint, please visit, www.hydrogengreenprint.org
