PNWH2 Newsletter June 2025
As dialogue in Washington, D.C. turns toward budget priorities and the future of federal energy investments, momentum across the hydrogen sector continues to build. From heavy-duty trucking to grid resilience and national security, hydrogen’s versatility is resonating in new corners of industry and policy alike—proof that the work happening in hubs like ours is not just timely, but essential.
The PNWH2 Hub remains firmly in motion. Over the last few months, our leadership team has been assessing new potential projects and meeting with national and regional stakeholders across the country—from Capitol Hill to Coeur d’Alene—to share progress, reinforce partnerships and emphasize the need for long-term policy certainty. PNWH2 continues to advocate for the stability the industry needs, bringing regional voices into high-level conversations about preserving government support for sustained hydrogen development.
While Phase 1 implementation advances, federal engagement remains ongoing and industry interest grows, PNWH2 is steadfast in helping shape the blueprint for hydrogen success. Through it all, our focus remains clear: moving projects forward, expanding partnerships and building a more resilient energy future for the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Looking to learn more? Explore recent updates, upcoming activity and industry news below, and stay tuned as we continue fueling hydrogen’s future.
RECENT ACTIVITY
PNWH2 Hub Interviews Potential Projects Representing $1 Billion of Economic Development
The PNWH2 Hub is currently conducting interviews with 10 projects that represent $1.6 billion of economic development.
The PNWH2 Hub has approximately $150 million of its original $1 billion grant to award to new projects. These interviews are part of a larger Request for Proposals (RFP) effort that began in Q4 2024 to source additional hydrogen infrastructure projects in our region.
A total of 77 concept papers were submitted in response to the RFP that represented over $14 billion of proposed projects across Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Alaska. A rigorous selection process narrowed the list to 17 highly desirable and sufficiently developed projects representing $4 billion of new hydrogen infrastructure that addresses both the production and end-use of hydrogen to complement our existing project portfolio.
The 10 projects selected for interviews are ready to move into the contracting process immediately if chosen.
PNWH2 Hub Signs Letter Urging Congress to Maintain 45V Tax Credit Until 2029 – or Risk Losing Thousands of Jobs and Billions in Investments
The PNWH2 Hub joined nearly 250 organizations in urging Congress to preserve the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit, which plays a key role in advancing the current administration’s vision for U.S. energy leadership and global competitiveness.
Retaining the 45V start-of-construction deadline through the end of 2029 would give projects the time they need to complete the multi-year development process. Section 45V is not just a policy, it’s a pathway to innovation, job creation, and long-term energy security.
Read the full letter here.
PNWH2 Hub Attends 2025 Washington Trucking Associations Annual Leadership Conference & Vendor Showcase
The PNWH2 Hub traveled to Idaho for the WTA Annual Leadership Conference. President Chris Green and Deputy Director Brian Young led a focused discussion on the work of the Regional Hydrogen Hub program, outlining the positive impacts of the hydrogen fuel economy and strategies around the growing workforce in the Pacific Northwest.
PNWH2 Hub Attends Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s 39th Annual Washington-to-Washington D.C. Conference
The PNWH2 Hub joined regional industry leaders on the East Coast for the Washington-to-Washington D.C. Conference, engaging in immersive discussions on energy, defense, workforce and more, to further the Pacific Northwest’s priorities at the federal level. While in D.C., Chris Green and Brian Young also met with Washington State Rep. Marilyn Strickland and others to highlight the ongoing work of the PNWH2 Hub and its local impacts.
UPCOMING EVENTS
California Global Hydrogen Energy Transition Summit
| June 30 – July 1, 2025 | Sacramento, CA
President Chris Green will be speaking on the Summit’s keynote panel, “Building Momentum Through Regional Collaboration.” Alongside other energy leaders, the panel will explore opportunities for regional collaboration across the western U.S., addressing the near-term benefits and long-term potential of Regional Hydrogen Hubs.
Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit
| July 20-24, 2025 | Bellevue, WA
PNWH2 is attending the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit to discuss regional economic best practices and trade concerns, focusing on groundbreaking innovations and how the region can harness emerging technologies to tackle key challenges and drive future growth.
Green Transportation Summit & Expo | August 26-28, 2025 | Tacoma, WA
PNWH2 will be at the Green Transportation Summit & Expo to gain critical insights into green transportation trends, alternative fuel technologies, infrastructure development, and regulatory frameworks.
Renewable Hydrogen Alliance Annual Conference | September 16, 2025 | Portland, OR
President Chris Green and PNWH2 Board Chair Janine Benner will be speaking at the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance Annual Conference to discuss the latest policy and project developments in the Pacific Northwest.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Drillers, Unions Urge US Senators to Preserve Hydrogen Credit
By Timothy Gardner | Reuters | June 5, 2025
A coalition of nearly 250 companies, businesses and labor groups urged top U.S. Republican senators to preserve a credit for the emerging hydrogen fuel industry as they hash out President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill.
Oil and gas lobbying group the American Petroleum Institute, a local unit of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and DuPont urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Mike Crapo to extend the constitution deadline to December 31, 2029, for hydrogen projects to receive a tax break.
The Senate is debating its version of the bill after the House of Representatives terminated the so-called 45V credit for any project which begins construction after the last day of 2025.
The Return on Investment of U.S. Clean Hydrogen Policy
By EFI Foundation | EFI Foundation | June 5, 2025
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are expected to open new possibilities for economic growth in the U.S. by boosting the national GDP, expanding the clean energy job market, and unlocking new private investments. Based on S&P Global’s analysis, the EFI Foundation estimates that every $1 in incentives going to H2Hubs projects using 45V tax credits will generate $7 in gross domestic product (GDP) in the next four years, while also supporting an annual average of 22,000 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced).
For every direct job supported in an H2Hub state, three will be supported in an emerging supply chain spanning H2Hub and non-hub states. When considering all ecosystem investments and subsidies, from 2026 to 2029, the return on investment (ROI) on the H2Hub program is more than 10:1 (i.e., $10 in GDP is created from every $1 invested in the incentives).
Clean hydrogen offers a promising route for both economic growth and clean energy leadership.
Read the story from EFI Foundation
Hydrogen Hubs Are Key to Domestic Energy Production and Regional Economies Across the U.S.
By Rachel Starr and Jonathan Lewis | Clean Air Task Force | May 8, 2025
Hydrogen hubs are intended to test, develop, and demonstrate technologies needed to minimize emissions intensity of hydrogen production, and the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program is at a pivotal moment. Despite significant progress, support, and investment in the seven selected hydrogen hubs, there are reports that the Trump administration is planning significant cuts for clean energy projects, including the hubs, as the new administration reviews existing federal grant programs. These cuts would harm regional economies across the U.S. and would be antithetical to the administration’s stated goals to bolster domestic energy production and American competitiveness.
Read the story from Clean Air Task Force
H2Go: How Experts, Industry Leaders Say US Hydrogen is Fuel for the Future of Agriculture, Energy, Security
By Charles Creitz | Fox News | April 7, 2025
As the Trump administration pursues an “all of the above” energy strategy, hydrogen experts welcome the new attention and are advancing efforts to make it a top, domestically produced power source.
The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association, one of seven “hubs” nationwide, partners with tribal, public and private partners to build hydrogen production projects throughout their region.
“Hydrogen has a lot of dexterity as a molecule, and it can be used for a host of different things,” PNWHA president Chris Green told Fox News Digital. “It is a carrier of electrons and can store energy in that regard. But as a fuel, it’s just like any other fuel. It can be used to propel machinery, equipment and industrial processes, those kinds of things. And so it’s another sort of energy commodity product that we can make here at home domestically.”