Text version of opening remarks by The Honorable Greg Pence, U.S. Representative (R-In.), during the Deployment and Financing panel session at the DOE Hydrogen Shot Summit, August 31, 2021.

Greg Pence: Good morning, everyone, and thank you to the Department of Energy for the invitation to join you all virtually for this week's Hydrogen Energy Earthshot Summit. In my district and across Indiana, leading companies and research institutions are already working on real-world deployable applications of hydrogen technologies. Cummins Engine Company, headquartered in my hometown of Columbus, is on the cutting edge of research and development using hydrogen fuel cell technologies in the transportation industry.

This kind of innovation isn't just happening in my backyard but in countless communities across the nation. Think of the progress we could make nationally and internationally if we invested in those who are investing in this kind of energy innovation. Hydrogen means clean energy innovation, jobs, and economic investment. That's why in this Congress I introduced the bipartisan Clean Energy Hydrogen Innovation Act with my colleague and fellow Hoosier Congressman, Andre Carson. This legislation would expand opportunities under the Department of Energy's Loan Guarantee Program for hydrogen and fuel cell applications. Production and overhead fuel costs will remain a key determinant for private investment into the next-generation energy technologies.

This is why I remain committed to working with anyone and everyone to break down barriers to the market for hydrogen fuel and keep all options on the table, including tried and true assets in the natural gas industry. America has the opportunity to be a global leader on hydrogen innovation and I look forward on working to get that goal across the finish line.

Thank you again to the Department of Energy for the invite to join this Summit, and I look forward to connecting with you all soon on our common goal of advancing clean energy technologies of the future.