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A bipartisan group of California lawmakers is asking the Trump administration to maintain $1.2 billion in federal funds for its hydrogen energy project to help separate the nation from the fossil fuels that are warming the planet.
The lawsuit follows reports from the Times and other press, and the administration is seeking to reimburse nearly 300 energy projects across the country, including four of the seven newborn “hydrogen hubs.”
Among them is the Arch, or the California Alliance of Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems. This was awarded $1.2 billion in federal funds from the Biden administration as part of a national effort to develop hydrogen energy. Arches also plans to bring another $11.2 billion from private investors.
In a letter to energy secretary Chris Wright on Monday, the lawmaker said the Arch will play an important role in ensuring America’s energy control, promoting world-leading energy technology, creating new manufacturing jobs, and reducing energy costs for American families.
The letter was signed by 47 of the state’s 52 congressional representatives, including four Republicans. Several hub sites were planned for the central valley on the right side of the state.
It was also signed by two democratic US senators from the state, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla.
The letter follows reports that Arches is on the Department of Energy’s budget cut list, along with hundreds of other projects targeting climate-friendly initiatives.
In response to its disclosure, the DOE said the agency is conducting a department-wide review and warns against a “fake list.” The Trump administration has generally supported the development of fossil fuels over clean energy.
A draft list that cycles on Capitol Hill and reviewed by the Times shows that around 80% of projects set to lose funds are in states that did not vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential election, which includes four hydrogen hubs.
In addition to California, it includes mid-Atlantic hubs, Pacific Northwest hubs, and Midwest hubs, all of which extend to the “blue” state where it tends to vote primarily for Democrats. The other three hydrogen hubs in the red state and region are safe, leaning towards the Republican Party of “Heartland” hubs in Texas, Appalachia, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Hydrogen is a promising energy source that produces water vapor instead of carbon dioxide as a by-product, and proponents say it can be used to power hard-to-carbonize industries such as iron production, production and transportation.
In their letter, lawmakers described the Arch as “a strategic investment in American energy innovation,” noting that the resulting projects will be spread across the state, including efforts to decarbonise ports in Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland.
“This investment is already being used to bring together private industry, local governments and community organisations to work together to build a future of American-made, safe energy,” the representative wrote, adding that the Arch is anticipating the creation of 220,000 jobs.
The letter was led by Rep. George Whiteside (D-Agua-dulce), and the district includes Lancaster. This was the first city to participate when it was announced, and multiple projects are being planned in the area.
“The bipartisan support for the arch shown in this letter underscores its importance to California and the country,” Whiteside wrote in a statement. “I urge the DOE to support this critical program and maintain its funds, and therefore expand our workforce and economic opportunities.”
As the Trump administration continues to target environmental programs across California and across the country, there are potential cuts that officials say will cut regulatory costs, taxes and “unleash American energy.”
But a Democrat insider said the planned cuts appear to be partisan. Especially since the California hub was the highest scorer of more than 30 projects considered in the $7 billion federal program. The $1.2 billion award also coincided with Texas’ award, a red state hub safe from the cut.
The seven hydrogen hubs were collectively referred to as producing 3 million tons of hydrogen per year and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25 million tons.
“We see the arch as a strategic investment in America’s energy innovation, all energy strategies, energy independence and competitiveness,” the letter states. “So we respectfully request that you continue to support the Arch and provide time for the California hub and its member organizations to further justify their important role in achieving the administration’s energy goals.”
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