Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito have announced the first $30 million of a $925 million award from the Department of Energy (Dee) for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) in West Virginia. The announcement, supported by Gov. Jim Justice and former Rep. David McKinley, claims significant advancements for the state’s energy sector. However, these claims are under scrutiny compared to industry standards and benchmarks. The success of the project depends on technological advancements and substantial investments to make hydrogen a viable and competitive energy source. The development of infrastructure to support hydrogen as an energy source requires complex logistics and substantial financial resources. The transition to hydrogen-based energy may not immediately replace jobs lost from traditional energy sectors, raising questions about the net employment benefits.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
