States and companies compete for billions to make hydrogen

By JENNIFER McDERMOTT and JOHN FLESHER
Associated Press

As fossil fuel emissions continue warming Earth’s atmosphere, the Biden administration is turning to hydrogen as an energy source for vehicles, manufacturing and generating electricity. It’s offering $8 billion to entice the nation’s industries, engineers and planners to figure out how to produce and deliver clean hydrogen. States and businesses are making final pitches Friday as they compete for a new program that will create regional networks, or “hubs,” of hydrogen producers, consumers and infrastructure. The aim is to accelerate the availability and use of the colorless, odorless gas that already powers some vehicles and trains. Nearly every state has joined at least one proposed hub. Big fossil fuel companies, renewable energy developers and researchers are involved, too.