Recommendations for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Implementation

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) recommends that the DOE prioritize a limited number of large-scale hydrogen hubs (4 to 6) to avoid program dilution and maximize industrial learning. CATF emphasizes the need for full lifecycle analysis (LCA) to measure greenhouse gas intensity, noting that natural gas with carbon capture can reach 1.5 to 2.0 kgCO2e/kgH2, while solar-powered electrolyzers range from 0.96 to 2.52 kgCO2e/kgH2 when upstream emissions are included. The document argues for prioritizing 'difficult-to-electrify' sectors such as heavy-duty trucking, marine shipping, and heavy industry. To ensure equity, CATF suggests requiring comprehensive community environmental health assessments and implementing inclusive engagement strategies to protect disadvantaged communities from industrial pollution.

• CATF recommends that the DOE fund a smaller number of larger hubs, specifically a maximum of six large hubs in 'Phase 2', to prevent program dilution and facilitate industrial learning.
• A full lifecycle analysis (LCA) is essential for comparing GHG emissions, as intensities vary by pathway: natural gas with carbon capture can achieve 1.5 to 2.0 kgCO2e/kgH2, while solar-powered electrolyzers may range from 0.96 to 2.52 kgCO2e/kgH2 if upstream manufacturing emissions are included.
• Hydrogen should be prioritized for sectors that are difficult to electrify, specifically heavy transportation (aviation, marine shipping, and heavy-duty trucking), heavy industry (ironmaking and high process heating), and power sector load balancing.
• To support environmental justice, the DOE should require project developers to perform comprehensive community environmental health assessments and report progress semi-annually with penalties for failure.
• Existing infrastructure can be leveraged for hydrogen hubs, including natural gas pipelines which can handle blends of 5 to 15 percent hydrogen with few modifications, or up to 50 percent if significantly modified.
• The DOE should incentivize the use of verifiable, additional renewable energy for electrolyzers rather than relying on grid electricity or unbundled Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).
• To create a national network, the DOE should coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to align hydrogen hubs with National Alternative Fuels Corridors for heavy-duty trucking.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Recommendations for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Implementation. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/07090555/h2hubs-rfi-response_clean-air-task-force.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Recommendations for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Implementation. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/07090555/h2hubs-rfi-response_clean-air-task-force.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Recommendations for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Implementation |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/07090555/h2hubs-rfi-response_clean-air-task-force.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{cleanairtaskforcendrecommendations, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Recommendations for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Implementation}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/07090555/h2hubs-rfi-response_clean-air-task-force.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }