On 30 August, Port of Oakland officials hosted U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), California Governor Gavin Newsom, and U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary David Crane for a Port tour, marking the official launch of the nation’s first Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) Hydrogen Hub.
This event supports a US$1.2 billion federal investment in California’s hydrogen projects. During the tour, Port Board President Michael Colbruno and Executive Director Danny Wan guided the group aboard WETA’s (Water Emergency Transportation Authority) newest fuel cell ferry, Sea Change, highlighting hydrogen and zero-emissions initiatives at the Oakland Seaport.
According to a statement, California is the first U.S. state to establish a Hydrogen Hub, and ARCHES is the state’s initiative to accelerate renewable hydrogen projects and develop the necessary infrastructure.
In addition, this Hydrogen Hub will facilitate hydrogen’s use as an energy source for electricity generation, vehicles, and manufacturing, with the only emissions being air and water.
California was designated as one of seven regions to receive funding from the US$7 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, expanding the domestic market for low-cost clean hydrogen. Currently, the Port of Oakland has the largest deployment of hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks in the nation, with 30 zero-emissions trucks in service. The hydrogen fueling station is conveniently located next to the Port.
The Senator, Governor, and other officials also took a harbour tour to observe Port operations up close to the water. Following this, they visited the East Bay Municipal Utility District to view the nation’s first commercial hydrogen fueling station for freight trucks serving the ports. These hydrogen and zero-emissions projects at the Port contribute significantly to improving air quality and public health in the East Bay.
“We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and Newsom Administration for making federal funding available to build the nation’s first Hydrogen Hub in Oakland. We are on a road to zero emissions at the Port, but it requires major investments. Thank you to the US Department of Energy, US Senator Padilla, and Governor Newsom for your leadership, ARCHES for supporting hydrogen projects that serve Northern California, and for selecting Oakland to be a part of this clean energy hub,” stated Danny Wan, Executive Director at Port of Oakland.
