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Ohio Chamber, Battelle, SARTA, JobsOhio, Hyperion Announce Formation of Coalition of Over 150 Businesses, Individuals Campaigning to Bring DOE Hydroge

May 13, 2022

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance, comprised of over 150 businesses, elected officials, individuals and trade associations, is actively advocating the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to select Ohio as a site for a clean hydrogen hub.

Steve Stivers, CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, joined by Lewis Von Thaer, CEO of Battelle, Angelo Kafantaris, CEO of Hyperion Inc., and Kirt Conrad, CEO of the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) and Matt Cybulski, Managing Director, Shale Energy & Petrochemicals for JobsOhio to discuss the ongoing campaign to bring billions of federal dollars to Ohio via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

In the BIL, Congress appropriated $8 billion to DOE for the creation of at least four “clean hydrogen hubs”, a network of clean hydrogen producers, potential clean hydrogen consumers, and connective infrastructure located in close proximity.

Lewis Von Thaer, CEO of Battelle, the largest independent nonprofit applied science and technology organization in the world, explains how Ohio is uniquely qualified to lead a hydrogen economy. “Battelle is working closely with the Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance and its members to build a collaborative team to bring a clean hydrogen hub to our region. Battelle was founded with the mission of using science for societal benefit, and this work fits right in with what we do every day. We look forward to working with our partners in a systems approach to building a hydrogen economy.”

Kirt Conrad of SARTA discussed the importance of being on the forefront of the rapidly emerging hydrogen economy, and how Ohio is far ahead of the competition. “Our commitment to hydrogen and the growing acceptance of the technology we have sparked is spurring research and development, which is actively advancing the construction of fueling infrastructure, while creating jobs here in Ohio” he said, speaking of the investments and hydrogen-related work SARTA has been doing since 2010. “As a result, the epicenter of the alternative fuel revolution in transportation isn’t located in Denver, Denmark, or Germany: it can be found in Canton, Ohio, where SARTA calls home.”

Angelo Kafantaris, CEO of Hyperion shared the company’s story: a company born in Ohio, grown in California, and now brought back in Ohio, as they recently announced their global headquarters will be located in Columbus. As the developer of the XP-1 prototype car, Hyperion shared the vision of what can be possible with the furthering of the hydrogen economy – a hydrogen-powered supercar that can drive 1000 miles on a single tank.

DOE issued a Request for Information on February 15, 2022 to solicit feedback from stakeholders on what should be contained in an application for the program, and what should constitute a clean hydrogen hub. They are expected to issue the subsequent funding opportunity announcement (FOA) in mid-May. The Alliance is seeking to grow its membership to signal to DOE that an investment in Ohio will be industry driven, community accepted, and policy-enabled to foster long-term sustainability after receiving this funding of up to $2 billion.

The Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance is free to join and is open to any organization or individual interested in securing a clean hydrogen hub for Ohio and furthering the hydrogen economy. To learn more or to join the Hydrogen Alliance, visit www.oh2hub.org.