Blog: PNWH2 Celebrates One Year of Phase 1 Award

This summer marks one year since the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub (PNWH2) was granted Phase 1 award status from the U.S. Department of Energy—and what a year it’s been.

As one of the first U.S. Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to transition into this designation, PNWH2 received an initial $27.5 million for Phase 1 activities. Since then, PNWH2 has gone from a bold vision to a fast-moving engine of regional and national progress. And despite shifting political headwinds, our momentum has never slowed.

Over the past year, PNWH2 has made steady progress on Phase 1 implementation, including permitting, analysis, stakeholder engagement and early project work. Formal agreements with key partners have enabled these first-phase initiatives to move forward. As the Hub continues to evaluate additional project opportunities, PNWH2 remains focused on supporting a broad, resilient regional hydrogen ecosystem with the potential to deliver lasting economic value.

PNWH2 has also remained deeply engaged at the national level, working to ensure continued support for this generational investment. President Chris Green has spent the past year meeting with lawmakers and federal officials in Washington, D.C., and speaking at events like the Washington-to-Washington Conference to reinforce hydrogen’s role in national energy, workforce and defense strategy. He’s also been a visible voice in national media—speaking with Axios, The New York Times, Fox News and CNBC—to help make the case for hydrogen’s role in U.S. energy leadership. The Hub also joined nearly 250 organizations in urging Congress to preserve the 45V Hydrogen Production Tax Credit—a key driver of investment and development. Thanks in large part to that collective advocacy, the extension of the tax credit has helped stabilize the road ahead.

At the same time, PNWH2 has continued building momentum through cross-sector collaboration. Green spoke at major industry forums across the western U.S.—including the ARCHES H2 Symposium, the Washington Trucking Association Leadership Conference, and the California Global Hydrogen Summit—highlighting hydrogen’s value across freight, logistics and heavy industry. From expanding partnerships along the I-5 corridor to shaping best practices with fellow hubs, PNWH2 is helping lead a more connected, resilient hydrogen future.

There’s still more work ahead. Building a robust hydrogen economy is more than a one-year task. But PNWH2 has laid a strong foundation, and its first year has made one thing clear: the Pacific Northwest region is ready to continue leading.

We’re proud of the ground we’ve covered, grateful for the support of our partners and excited for what comes next!