OAKLAND – Last month, California officially became the first state in America to launch a clean, renewable hydrogen hub. Today, Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Under Secretary of Energy David Crane and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), along with other local, state and federal leaders, gathered in Oakland to celebrate this landmark commitment to build and expand clean energy in California. 

A $12.6 billion agreement signed in July includes up to $1.2 billion in federal funding. The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) was the first of seven hydrogen hubs throughout the country to sign their agreement with the Department of Energy. California had a novel approach for its hydrogen hub and created a coalition of more than 400 partners. Furthering the state’s hydrogen hub investments, the Biden-Harris administration today awarded California $12 million for three hydrogen projects across the state.

“California is building more, faster to accelerate clean energy projects, cut pollution, and deliver good jobs – and we’re doing it at a scale unmatched in America. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, our first-in-the-nation hydrogen hub is quickly becoming reality,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The half-day event showcased cutting-edge hydrogen-powered transportation projects in Oakland, demonstrating not only what has already been accomplished in California, but what is coming thanks to ARCHES’ renewable hydrogen hub.

The group traveled in the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger ferry, then on AC Transit and SamTrans hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, to the True Zero Hydrogen Fuel Station, which can support 200 semi trucks.