Announcement | Western Green Hydrogen Initiative Announces Conclusion of its Activities 

Dear State Participants and Supporters,

The Western Green Hydrogen Initiative (WGHI), a pioneering public-private partnership committed to advancing clean and green hydrogen infrastructure in the Western region for a better economy and environment, is announcing the conclusion and transition of its activities.

Established in November 2020 through a collaborative partnership between the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB), and Green Hydrogen Coalition (GHC), the vision and mission of WGHI was to accelerate the deployment of clean and green hydrogen infrastructure in North America’s Western region for interested states and partners as well as enable hydrogen development investments and compensation at scale in the West.

WGHI coordinated efforts over the past 3.5 years across 11 western states and two Canadian provinces to foster peer learning and information exchange, collect and disseminate knowledge, model, and report on state and provincial planning and roadmaps for clean and green hydrogen as part of their energy and economic planning. From thoughtful workshops to providing essential information and tools, WGHI established a solid foundation for commercializing clean and green hydrogen for energy security, resilience, sustainability, and economic growth.

Key accomplishments include:

  • Workshops and Policy Groups: Conducted seasonal workshops and quarterly convenings addressing regulatory, policy, and commercial developments associated with clean and green hydrogen production and use.

  • Modeling and Research: Coordinated and leveraged state, federal, and industry research to guide priorities and scale commercial technology options. Supported regional grid and gas sector modeling efforts to inform coordinated state policy actions and investment for clean and green hydrogen utilizing existing energy infrastructure. Initiated a long-duration energy study (LDES) study with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and developed a report on the role of hydrogen for LDES and regional grid reliability.

  • Strategic Dialogue: Fostered collaboration with key industry leaders across the hydrogen value chain, including industry stakeholders, non-profits, State Energy Offices, and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

  • Education and Workforce Development: Identified education and workforce opportunities that support the transition to a local and resilient clean and green hydrogen energy system. Identified key factors and best practices that will enable a just transition, including consideration of energy equity, environmental justice, tribal coordination, industry and employment impacts, workforce development, and community benefits.

“I am pleased and grateful for all that we have accomplished together through the Western Green Hydrogen Initiative,” said WGHI Chair, WIEB Chair, and Commissioner of the California Energy Commission Dr. Andrew McAllister. “When WGHI was formed, hydrogen was a novel topic for Western states and provinces. WGHI has played a critical role in advancing regional discussions about the role and benefits of clean hydrogen and its integration into Western energy systems.”

“Before WGHI, hydrogen development in the West had been minimal,” said WGHI Co-Vice Chair and Executive Director of the Colorado Energy and Research Collaboratory Anja Richmond. “WGHI's efforts have helped to increase our understanding of the significant potential of clean and green hydrogen as a domestically produced, carbon-free resource that can decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, support energy reliability, and create and repurpose jobs.”

“WGHI has been instrumental in bringing together diverse regional state and provincial leadership to explore the role of clean and green hydrogen in achieving an affordable and sustainable energy transition,” said WGHI Co-Vice Chair and Washington State Department of Commerce Senior Energy Policy Specialist Stephanie Celt. “Our collaborative efforts have laid a strong foundation for future clean and green hydrogen initiatives that will continue to benefit the region and the nation.”

"NASEO is grateful for the partnership with WIEB, Strategen, and the state leadership team to advance WGHI,” said NASEO President David Terry. “WGHI allowed State Energy Offices to engage in innovative partnerships and identify regional pathways for clean hydrogen production and use. The opportunities and discussions had through WGHI will be leveraged as NASEO explores national-level activities to support states in clean hydrogen RD&D."

"We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the supporters, participants, and donors who have been part of this journey,” said GHC Founder and President Janice Lin. “Your dedication and contributions have been invaluable in advancing our shared mission and steering us toward meaningful progress. Together, we continue to chart a national course toward a sustainable, equitable future.”

Thank you all for your support and collaboration.

As a next step, NASEO will be working with State Energy Offices to launch a national coalition that will serve as an organizing body for hydrogen hubs not funded through DOE. The coalition will also foster communication and information sharing between regions in different stages of the clean hydrogen deployment process.

For questions or to get involved in other initiatives, such as the Green Hydrogen Coalition’s Consumer Education Initiative or NASEO’s Clean Hydrogen activities, please contact:

Shanté Williams
Engagement Manager
Green Hydrogen Coalition
swilliams@strategen.com

Kelsey Jones
Program Director
NASEO
kjones@naseo.org

Missy LeeWGHI