Malagari introduces bill to position region as hub for research, industry
Pennsylvania should prioritize being on the front lines for emerging technologies and producing clean hydrogen through electrolysis
Rep. Steve Malagari March 14, 2022 | 10:49 AM
LANSDALE, March 14 – In a move meant to create jobs developing carbon-free clean hydrogen, as well as utilize Pennsylvania’s natural resources and take advantage of the ideal location of the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex, state Rep. Steve Malagari has introduced H.R. 178 urging the Biden administration to designate southeastern Pennsylvania as a hydrogen hub.
“An important aspect of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the emphasis and funding placed on the research, development and transmission of clean energy,” Malagari said. “The act stipulates for $8 billion in funding to be provided over five years to four regional hubs for the production of clean hydrogen, including research hubs developing technologies aimed at decarbonization and clean energy.”
Located in Delaware County, the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex is a former Sunoco refinery, which has been repurposed to house natural gas liquids and serve as a transportation and export hub. The complex is primarily used as a terminal for exports to Europe.
“Almost all of the hydrogen currently produced in the United States right now is made through natural gas reforming – or steam methane reformation – a process that uses existing natural gas infrastructure to help decrease petroleum use and emissions while providing hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles today,” Malagari said. “Ranked as the second-highest producer of natural gas in the United States and trailing only Texas, Pennsylvania is positioned to make the most of its existing natural resources and transportation hub. Though carbon capture retrofits aid our economy and environment now, Pennsylvania should also prioritize being on the front lines for emerging technologies and producing clean hydrogen through electrolysis, which experts expect to be used as a clean energy source for generations to come.”
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes the framework of a major investment of roughly $60 billion in the transmission of clean energy. Some of this money will be used to create a Grid Deployment Authority, which will oversee research and development of transmission and distribution technologies, as well as demonstration projects and research hubs.