The Department of Energy is allocating $2.2 billion to clean hydrogen projects in the Gulf Coast and Midwest, raising questions about their fate under the incoming Trump administration.
Carlos Anchondo and Brian Dabbs report for E&E News.
In short:
- The Department of Energy committed $1.2 billion to a Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub and $1 billion to the Midwest Hydrogen Hub to boost clean hydrogen production.
- These hubs, part of a $7 billion initiative, are expected to create thousands of jobs and use technologies like wind, natural gas and nuclear power to decarbonize industries.
- Concerns remain about the environmental impacts and potential cuts to funding under a Trump administration critical of hydrogen's safety and effectiveness.
Key quote:
“Community members have made it clear that the hub, instead of helping communities, will most likely allow large oil and gas corporations to continue polluting at the expense of public health and the environment.”
— Robert Bullard, a professor of urban planning at Texas Southern University
Why this matters:
Clean hydrogen is a key part of the U.S. transition to a low-carbon economy, but its reliance on fossil fuels and carbon capture raises environmental concerns. Shifts in federal leadership could alter the trajectory of these projects, affecting their climate and job-creation goals.
Related EHN coverage: Hydrogen hubs test new federal environmental justice rules
