Demand Transparency for Communities Impacted by Hydrogen Hubs

The Department of Energy (DOE) is betting big on hydrogen hubs, networks of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure. With $7 billion awarded to seven regional hubs in 2023, hydrogen could accelerate the clean energy transition, especially for hard-to-decarbonize industries.

But there’s a catch. 

While truly clean hydrogen relies solely on legitimately low-carbon energy sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear energy, four of the seven hubs will use a mix of renewables and natural gas — which releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas — with expensive carbon capture and storage technology. This directly contradicts the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, which explicitly listed fossil fuel development and carbon capture technology as examples of projects that will not benefit communities.

The bigger issue? Communities across the country have been largely left out of the conversation. The DOE itself acknowledges the need for deep community engagement in this clean energy transition. Yet, consultations with host communities have been minimal and community benefit plans have not been made public.

This lack of information does not allow host communities to fully participate in the process or assess potential impacts, like worsening pollution in already overburdened neighborhoods. 

We cannot let our transition to clean energy exacerbate environmental injustice. Join us in demanding full transparency from the DOE on the hydrogen hub program, with all information to be released publicly, readily accessible, and delivered in a timely manner.