Bipartisan Hydrogen Braintrust continues working to make Georgia the national leader in hydrogen innovation
Sen. Ossoff, Commissioner Echols, Georgia Tech brief leaders on Federal funding opportunities through the “CHIPS and Science Act” to advance hydrogen energy research & development
Competitive grant program aims to strengthen economic development, manufacturing, and deployment of critical energy technologies — including hydrogen, solar & electric vehicles
Atlanta, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is continuing his work to make Georgia the national leader in advanced energy manufacturing and innovation.
Yesterday, Sen. Ossoff, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols, and Georgia Tech convened the third meeting of the Georgia Hydrogen Energy Braintrust at Georgia Tech’s Kendeda Building. The group included dozens of key leaders in the public and private sectors, including in energy, transportation and logistics, education and research, and more.
The group discussed how to take advantage of new opportunities through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act’s Regional Tech Hub grant program, a competitive grant program aimed at strengthening economic development, manufacturing, and deployment of critical technologies, including hydrogen, solar, electric vehicles, batteries, and more.
Earlier this year, Georgia Tech announced it was leading a coalition effort to bid for funding through the program, partnering with academic, industry, and community leaders in Georgia and Alabama.
Sen. Ossoff and Commissioner Echols launched the Georgia Hydrogen Energy Braintrust earlier this year alongside Georgia Tech to strengthen energy security and attract new economic investment to the state.
“Georgia is on track to become the nation’s advanced energy capital, powered by infrastructure and manufacturing incentives unlocking the full potential of our research, logistics, workforce, and entrepreneurial assets,” said Sen. Ossoff. “I thank Commissioner Echols for his continued partnership as we convene Georgia’s industrial and academic leaders to advance the development of our hydrogen sector.”
“Hydrogen has never enjoyed the funding opportunities that are out there right now,”said Echols. “Georgia is poised to take advantage of this and our bi-partisan Braintrust is bringing potential stakeholders and off-takers together to strategize and plan for it.”
“Georgia Tech is firmly committed to leveraging its expertise and convening stakeholders to lead this regional tech hub and amplify Georgia’s leadership in clean energy technologies and electric mobility,” said Tim Lieuwen, Executive Director of the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech. “We are delighted to be supporting this hydrogen brain trust, and incorporating the state’s leadership in hydrogen, batteries, and electric vehicles into a powerful engine of economic development.”
The group also discussed their continued work to support and advocate for Georgia’s participation in the Southeast Hydrogen Hub Coalition, which is bidding to win fundingfrom the Department of Energy’s Regional Hydrogen Hub grant program, established through the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Sen. Ossoff and Commissioner Echols convened the first meeting of the Hydrogen Energy Braintrust in February at Georgia Power’s McDonough-Atkinson Plant.
In June, Sens. Ossoff and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced two bipartisan bills to jumpstart public and private sector development of hydrogen for aviation and further study the use of hydrogen energy to support the aviation sector.
This March, Sens. Ossoff and Graham also led a bipartisan group of Southeastern U.S. Senators from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee in support of the Southeast Hydrogen Hub coalition.
In October 2022, Sen. Ossoff’s office convened key partners in Camden County to discuss coastal Georgia’s vital role in this cutting-edge energy infrastructure.
And in June 2022, Sen. Ossoff led a coalition of Georgia energy companies, universities, public transportation agencies, and clean energy advocates in support of the Southeast Hydrogen Hub proposal.
The Braintrust will continue to meet on a recurring basis to discuss other key aspects of Georgia’s hydrogen future, including workforce development.
