Budzinski Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Develop Clean Hydrogen Energy for Heavy Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), alongside Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Congressman Mark Molinaro (NY-19), Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), introduced the bipartisan 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. 

“Investing in 21st century energy infrastructure will create good-paying jobs while helping us meet critical emissions reduction targets,” said Congresswoman Nikki 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.” 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $8 billion to develop large-scale hydrogen production programs across the country, including through seven regional hydrogen hubs. These regional hydrogen hubs are poised to deliver more than $40 billion in private investment and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. 

Last October, Illinois was awarded $1 billion in federal funding for the Midwest Hydrogen Hub (MachH2), which provides the state resources to decarbonize through hydrogen use, reducing carbon emissions by roughly 3.9 million metric tons per year. 

The Hydrogen for Industry Act builds on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s investment in regional hydrogen hubs to support the development of hydrogen as an emissions reduction solution across industries. Specifically, the bill: 

• Establishes a commercial-scale demonstration program for hydrogen use in heavy industry. 
• Provides competitive grants to hydrogen demonstrations in industries such as iron and steel, cement, chemicals and refining. 
• Directs the Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Transportation to jointly conduct a study on impact, cost and safety. 

The bipartisan 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).  

Full text of the Hydrogen for Industry Act can be found here.

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