As we celebrate National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, it is a good time to reflect on the work that the investments of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act did to encourage the manufacturing and utilization of green hydrogen in the country and our region. Recently, I was a part of supporting a regional green hydrogen hub that includes South Jersey, Philadelphia, and Delaware called the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub (MACH 2). MACH 2 is poised to revolutionize our region's energy landscape by producing and utilizing clean hydrogen, which will usher in a new era of sustainability, economic growth, and job creation.

MACH 2 is an exciting opportunity for South Jersey. Our workforce and our region are uniquely positioned to take advantage of this project that offers long-term employment opportunities and a greener environment. 

Refineries in the Mid-Atlantic, including the PBF refineries in Paulsboro and the Monroe refinery outside of Philadelphia have faced economic challenges in recent years. The storied history in the energy industry in our region has cultivated a highly trained unionized workforce that will leverage its experience and expertise in construction and manufacturing to build, maintain, and operate MACH 2.

MACH 2 will be the shot in the arm our region needs to bolster local community economies and create long-term employment opportunities. Green hydrogen and clean energy solutions like MACH 2 will expand South Jersey’s leading construction, manufacturing, and bioscience industries. 

Beyond creating good-paying jobs and union careers, MACH 2 will also provide immense benefits to our communities and improve our quality of life. 

MACH 2 would ensure a greener future for South Jersey and the entire Mid-Atlantic region through clean hydrogen. It will find applications in many sectors, from industry to transportation. By decarbonizing our public transit systems, we can provide cleaner air for healthier commutes and address critical environmental and public health concerns.

The adoption of green hydrogen in our region's transportation and industrial facilities will decrease pollutants in the air, enhance public health outcomes, create economic opportunities, and foster a more equitable and sustainable future.

MACH2 presents an unparalleled opportunity to reduce pollution and ensure a clean and healthy environment while creating good family-sustaining union jobs at the forefront of the clean hydrogen economy. It will also bolster our domestic energy production for decades to come. It’s a win-win-win for South Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic, and the United States. 

MACH 2 and hydrogen hubs across the country are poised to be critical to the future of energy. This type of investment would not be possible without the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which continues to deliver for working families across the country. There is no better place for a green hydrogen hub than right here in our region. I look forward to hearing from the Department of Energy about our region’s hydrogen hub application. We are working toward a prosperous green energy future that will serve generations to come.