WASHINGTON (WAND) — This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and four other representatives introduced the Hydrogen for Industry Act, which creates a program for hydrogen to be used to produce building materials such as steel, cement, glass, chemicals and fuel.
Rep. Nikki Budzinski, (D) Illinois
“Investing in 21st century energy infrastructure will create good-paying jobs while helping us meet critical emissions reduction targets,” said Budzinski. “I’m proud to champion the Hydrogen for Industry Act to help Illinois businesses take advantage of clean hydrogen energy, as well as decarbonize heavy industry to grow the next generation of manufacturing in Central and Southern Illinois. This bipartisan legislation will build on the recent $1 billion federal investment in the Midwest's MachH2 Regional Hydrogen Hub, cementing Illinois as a leader in renewable energy innovation that will be an economic boon for our communities for decades to come.”
Budzinski said hyrdogen production programs will deliver more than $40 billion in private investment and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country.
The bill is meant to:
Establish a commercial-scale demonstration program for hydrogen use in heavy industry
Provide competitive grants to hydrogen demonstrations in industries such as iron and steel, cement, chemicals and refining
Direct the Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Transportation to jointly conduct a study on impact, cost and safety
The senate version of the bill, S.646, the Hydrogen for Industry Act of 2023, was introduced on March 2, 2023, by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).
Read the full text of the act here.
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