*This news release was originally published and distributed by the Office of Mayor Karen Bass
LOS ANGELES (October 13, 2023) – Mayor Karen Bass today convened local leaders at the Port of Los Angeles to announce a significant amount of funding to build a greener Los Angeles by helping the Port of Los Angeles transition more hydrogen trucks and cargo handling equipment to zero-emissions and assist the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as they convert one of their natural gas plants to a hydrogen plant.
“Today is a special day for California and for Los Angeles, said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “The money we are receiving will help seed a robust green hydrogen market to assist in the pursuit of zero-emission operations. We know that we must protect and improve the health of communities directly impacted by Port related emissions and work towards a greener future while also ensuring that we create good paying jobs. This is a team effort and together, we are locking arms with the State and Federal governments in order to create a greener and safer Los Angeles for all.”
“Clean, renewable hydrogen power is essential to foster clean energy job growth and meet California’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals. Today marks a significant and decisive investment in decarbonizing our economy, with California and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law paving the way toward a clean energy future,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “This project will bring together leaders from across government, industry, labor unions, national labs, and more to jumpstart the market for renewable hydrogen and establish a sustainable, clean hydrogen hub by 2030. The hydrogen hub will bring tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, cleaner air, and reduced fuel costs to our state — while also focusing on environmental justice and equity for disadvantaged communities. As we grapple with the existential threat of the climate crisis, I am proud to have secured this monumental federal investment in the ARCHES hydrogen hub.”
“This award is a testament to California’s unrivaled commitment to a carbon-neutral future,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor, Director of GO-Biz and founding ARCHES Board Member. “There is no better place to showcase the benefits of clean, renewable hydrogen – and the role it can play in decarbonizing our economy while creating green jobs and sustainable business at scale. This critical funding will help California build a system of hydrogen projects to integrate renewable energy into our economy, resulting in cleaner air and family supporting jobs for communities across the state.”
“I’m proud of the work that so many of us in the Harbor community have put into this effort – including community groups, labor, local business, and nonprofit organizations – alongside the government agencies,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker. “Together, we have been working on this for years and I’m pleased to see this day. Working with the Mayors and Ports of LA and Long Beach, this funding gives us a real opportunity to reach our goals to decarbonize the San Pedro Bay and clean the air of the surrounding communities.”
“The Port of Los Angeles is eager to partner with ARCHES in our quest to zero-emissions operations,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. “We’ll use this grant, along with unprecedented levels of port funding, to support the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell powered equipment on all modes of transportation throughout the port complex. We are excited about the transformation that hydrogen will play in our zero emission future.”
“This federal funding will help launch a hydrogen hub here in Southern California and will greatly help accelerate LA’s conversion to clean, critical generation right here in the LA basin,” said Martin Adams, LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer. “This is a win for the environment and for LADWP’s power customers who want and need an affordable path to a clean energy future.”
This morning, the White House announced $7 billion for America’s first clean hydrogen hubs, up to $1.2 billion of which will be given to California. California Hydrogen Hub (Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) — The California Hydrogen Hub will leverage the Golden State’s leadership in clean energy technology with up to $1.2 billion to produce hydrogen exclusively from renewable energy and biomass. It will provide a blueprint for decarbonizing public transportation, heavy duty trucking, and port operations—key emissions drivers in the state and sources of air pollution that are among the hardest to decarbonize. This H2Hub has committed to requiring Project Labor Agreements for all projects connected to the hub, which will expand opportunities for disadvantaged communities and create an expected 220,000 direct jobs—130,000 in construction jobs and 90,000 permanent jobs.
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