Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen (ARCH2) Selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) to Develop Multi-State Clean Hydrogen Hub

MORGANTOWN, W. Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Battelle announced today that following a highly competitive evaluation process, the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) consortium was selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to enter the award negotiation phase to establish a clean hydrogen hub (H2Hub) in Appalachia.

The H2Hubs will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. Funded by President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the H2Hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen—helping generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation. Together, they will also reduce 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from end-uses each year—an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars—and create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country while supporting healthier communities and strengthening America's energy security.

“Unlocking the full potential of hydrogen—a versatile fuel that can be made from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country—is crucial to achieving President Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable clean energy options for American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With this historic investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is laying the foundation for a new, American-led industry that will propel the global clean energy transition while creating high quality jobs and delivering healthier communities in every pocket of the nation.”

Battelle, the world’s largest independent applied science and technology company, will lead ARCH2 as the overall Program Manager and prime recipient of ARCH2 funding from DOE/OCED. Battelle will be supported by a world-class Program Management Office team, including GTI Energy, Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), and TRC Companies. ARCH2 is composed of entities with operations across the Appalachian region spanning the hydrogen value chain as well as energy technology organizations, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), consultants, academic institutions, community organizations, and non-government organizations that will provide commercial, technical, and programmatic leadership for the development and buildout of the hub.

Concentrated in Appalachian counties across West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, ARCH2 will leverage diverse regional resources to build a safe, sustainable clean hydrogen hub that can scale and integrate into a national clean H2 network. The region is the ideal location for a clean hydrogen hub, due to its unique access to ample low-cost natural gas feedstock, vast industrial end-user demand, workforce and technology capability, and carbon sequestration potential.

“I am so honored to announce that today the U.S. Department of Energy has selected the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub for up to $925 million in federal support under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Joe Manchin (D – WV). “This means West Virginia and the Appalachian region will be the new epicenter of hydrogen in the United States of America. As Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, I wrote and fought for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to include $8 billion to establish hydrogen hubs to demonstrate the production and use of clean hydrogen. Now, our region will be on the leading edge of building out the new hydrogen market while bringing good-paying jobs and new economic opportunity in West Virigina and the Appalachian region.”

In addition to Senator Manchin’s support, ARCH2 received tremendous backing from other federal and state officials, as well as the business communities from West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania to secure this important infrastructure program for the Appalachian region.

The ARCH2 project portfolio includes a diverse group of partner companies poised to bring economic, environmental, and community benefits to Appalachia through participation in ARCH2. Key project development partners include Air Liquide, The Chemours Company, CNX Resources Corp, Dominion Energy Ohio, Empire Diversified Energy, EQT Corporation, Fidelis New Energy, First Mode, Hog Lick Aggregates, Hope Gas Inc., Independence Hydrogen Inc., KeyState Energy, MPLX, Plug Power, and TC Energy.

ARCH2 will help DOE’s OCED make significant progress toward the administration’s 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goal. In addition to providing cleaner, safer energy to the nation, ARCH2’s Community Benefits Plan outlines the strategies that ARCH2 will use to proactively engage with the communities throughout the Appalachian region. ARCH2 is a community-first Hub and will ensure that project area communities have input to community benefits and that opportunities are available to all. ARCH2 project participants will collaborate to create and support good-paying jobs, workforce training, options for investment in our communities, and Justice40 benefit flows.

The Appalachian region provides significant existing resources for ARCH2, including the critical infrastructure required for low-cost natural gas production and storage, existing pipelines and transportation networks, and proximity to major end-use markets in the Midwest and Northeast. The region also boasts a highly skilled energy workforce—as well as support from labor organizations, environmental non-profits, academic institutions, and community stakeholders—all of which will be integral to project development and associated job retention and creation, particularly in disadvantaged and underserved communities.

“We’re thrilled the DOE chose the ARCH2 team to advance this vital path toward a clean energy future,” said Lou Von Thaer, Battelle President and CEO. “We intend to lead this public-private partnership with vigor and excellence meeting government and industry objectives, addressing technical, commercial, and social justice goals, including proving hydrogen’s economic viability, in a highly transparent manner.”

Battelle, in collaboration with West Virginia University Innovation Corporation, will be establishing the ARCH2 Program Office on the university’s campus in Morgantown, WV.

At its peak ARCH2 is expected to create more than 21,000 jobs—including more than 18,000 in construction and more than 3,000 permanent jobs, helping ensure the Appalachian community benefits from the development and operation of the Hub. Battelle anticipates negotiations with DOE/OCED on the ARCH2 award will commence in early November.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.