The Port of Long Beach on Oct. 6 revealed that it has joined the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, or ARCHES, a public-private partnership that could help one of the busiest seaports in the nation get more funding toward becoming a zero-emissions gateway.
As lead applicant, ARCHES will work on behalf of California to obtain funding for a hydrogen hub through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded U.S. Department of Energy Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program.
“Establishment of a hydrogen hub in California would support achieving our zero emission goals,” Port Executive Director Mario Cordero said. “With $8 billion in federal funding available, we want to ensure we have as much leverage as possible to see that our fair share comes to California, and specifically to the ports. This is a step toward this and accelerating the nation’s clean energy transition.”
Long Beach Councilwoman Cindy Allen, who also serves as chair of the council’s Climate Action and Environmental Committee said that ARCHES represents an incredible opportunity for the city and the port to advance local and regional clean hydrogen hub development goals and ensure future investments in clean hydrogen technologies.
“Green hydrogen is a powerful tool, and it can potentially be used to decarbonize the heaviest industries and energy uses, like shipping, aviation, and heavy duty trucks,” she stated.
Partnerships like ARCHES, Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon Weissman said, have been a key to success at the port, a longtime leader in sustainable seaport operations.
“Green hydrogen is an important fuel for the future of the shipping industry, and as we strive forward on the port’s goals of zero-emissions cargo-handling by 2030 and trucks by 2035,” she remarked.
