Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma will submit a formal application to the Department of Energy for funding of their regional hydrogen hub.
The state's governors announced in March they were forming a partnership called the "HALO Hydrogen Hub" in hopes of securing millions in grants for developing, producing and using clean hydrogen for fuel and manufacturing feedstock.
The partners pitched their concept to the DOE, which encouraged them to submit a full application. The hydrogen hub could receive up to $1.25 billion of the $7 billion included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Six to 10 hubs could be funded, according to a joint news release from the governors of Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said the three states share the same goals in creating a hydrogen economy.
"The opportunities and abundant resources in Oklahoma complement our partners, and I am confident that our three state coalition can land this hub and become the nation's heartland for hydrogen," Stitt said in a statement. "Oklahoma believes in a 'More of Everything' energy approach and by leaning into the hydrogen future with our partners, we can further diversify our nation's energy portfolio and start meeting American demand with American energy."
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said the three states have already invested in hydrogen hub components.
"HALO states already have a healthy infrastructure in place that is actively delivering the raw materials to our industrial base, which is in turn making use of that hydrogen feedstock---next steps will be making sure all that hydrogen becomes low-carbon and making it more available and accepted as a major energy source," Edwards said.
Applications are due by April 7. Awards are scheduled for the fall of 2023.
"Arkansas has a growing and diverse energy portfolio and natural resources that are vital to any successful regional hub,' Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. "We are proud of our partners and companies in Arkansas that are leading the way to develop demand for low-carbon hydrogen and showing that hydrogen can be commercially viable."
