CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia has been selected to house the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) as part of the regional clean hydrogen hubs that were funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was passed in 2021.

Sen. Joe Manchin’s office describes the hydrogen hubs as regional networks of hydrogen producers, consumers and local infrastructure to establish hydrogen manufacturing, production, and use across America.

Hydrogen can be used to power vehicles, generate electricity, fuel industrial manufacturing and heat buildings in a way that Manchin’s office said is safe and emissions-free and is generated from natural gas with CO2 capture and storage, called “blue hydrogen,” or using low-emissions electricity to separate hydrogen from water, called “green hydrogen.”

ARCH2 will use natural gas resources to produce economic, blue hydrogen and deploy green hydrogen, according to Manchin, and the hub will also include Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

ARCH2 will be getting up to $925 million in federal support various projects. Manchin said the following projects are examples of what is eligible:

  • Manufacturing/assembly of electrolysis equipment to produce hydrogen from electricity and water.
  • Production of hydrogen and ammonia using captured coal-mine methane from abandoned mines.
  • Hydrogen distribution to supply fuel cell-powered trucks, buses and other vehicles.
  • Hydrogen use as a fuel for industrial manufacturing, data centers, power generation and more.
  • Pipeline infrastructure to transport hydrogen and natural gas-hydrogen blends.
  • Underground facilities to store carbon dioxide captured during blue hydrogen production.

Senators Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito have been working since Feb. 15, 2022, to secure West Virginia as the hydrogen hub location.

Manchin’s office said ARCH2 partners include:

  • Hydrogen producers, suppliers and equipment manufacturers like Plug Power, Fidelis New Energy, Air Liquide, Clearway Energy Group, First Mode, Independence Hydrogen and Key State Energy.
  • Industrial and manufacturing companies who will use hydrogen, like Adams Fork Energy, Dominion Energy, Chemours, Hog Lick Aggregates and Watt Fuel Cell.
  • Natural gas suppliers and transporters to provide feedstock for hydrogen production and transport hydrogen, including CNX, EQT, Hope Gas, Empire Diversified Energy, Marathon Petroleum and TC Energy.
  • Labor, business, and community organizations, including AFL-CIO West Virginia, Eastern Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, West Virginia State Building and Construction Trades, Harrison County Development Authority and West Virginia Manufacturers Association.
  • Technology firms and universities, including Marshall University, West Virginia University, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Bridge Valley Community and Technical College, Mountwest Community College, Pierpont Community and Technical College, West Virginia Community and Technical College, West Virginia State University, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Allegheny Science & Technology, Battelle, GTI Energy and TRC Companies.