Text version of the Closing-Opening Remarks The Honorable Robert Walker, Former US Representative (R-PA) at the DOE Hydrogen Shot Summit, August 31, 2021.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. I congratulate you and Secretary Granholm for organizing this summit and making it a bipartisan meeting befitting the need for developing a hydrogen economy as a truly national goal.  

I've worked with Sunita and her office through several administrations with differing partisan agendas but always with a  focus on what hydrogen can mean for our future. Hydrogen seemingly has always been the unreachable star. Despite being the most abundant element in the universe its properties have limited its applications. But as we gather here the future for hydrogen makes that star come into focus. Its use as an energy source, a transportation imperative, and a means to extend humankind's reach into the universe is clear.

What we now know is that hydrogen can be produced cleanly and in huge quantities. Renewable sources can produce green hydrogen more economically than previously understood. Advanced nuclear reactors can produce massive quantities of base load electric power and excess heat can be used to create vast volumes of hydrogen. Ten advanced nuclear plants at one gigawatt each could generate 15 percent of all the hydrogen now used in this country. For the utilities of the future this twofold stream of income means the price of each can be reduced while keeping the utilities profitable, and traditional sources of hydrogen can provide transitional confidence.

How about a transportation system that's pollution-free, refuels in minutes, and doesn't need to be plugged in? The world is coming to electrification but that doesn't mean just battery power. Hydrogen fuel cells will play a crucial role. They provide storage capacity for intermittent power sources. Fuel cells can power vehicles: cars, trucks, planes, and trains. They're uniquely suited for large vehicles like tractor trailer trucks and buses because the fuel cell weight is substantially less than the same power from batteries. And the refuel time can be measured in minutes. As trucks move to clean fuel cell electric power an infrastructure for refueling will grow rapidly, much of it paid for with private investment. That will create an infrastructure that encourages the purchase of fuel cell cars. Those cars can eliminate range anxiety, can be used for long distance travel, and in the event of a power loss like that being suffered by hundreds of thousands of victims of Hurricane Ida can be a totally clean generator in an owner's garage.

None of this technology is a far-off dream. Today thousands of hydrogen fuel cells are being used for forklifts and stationary power. In warehouses behind your Walmart and Home Depot there is a growing use of zero-emission fuel cell-powered forklifts. Every few seconds hydrogen fuel is being dispensed at a warehouse. Moreover, hydrogen can decarbonize basic industries like steel and ammonia production, allowing expansion of those industries for domestic and export use.

Today, because of the Department of Energy's investments we hold more than 1100 US patents. Thirty commercial technologies have been developed by industry, with 70 more possible in the near future. But it will take sustained research. It will take deployment that cuts costs. We must ensure that the policies at state, local, and national levels encourage and endorse hydrogen usage. Keeping hydrogen vehicles from accessing tunnels or community actions banning the building of hydrogen refueling capacity are not at all helpful.

The Hydrogen Shot Summit is a recognition of the work that must be done if we're going to lead the world into a hydrogen economy future. The Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 helped set that stage for hydrogen policy and a framework. Here we are 25 years later with real progress but even greater potential. There is no longer an unreachable star. This summit will help ensure that our hydrogen goals are entirely reachable, that we can lead the world into a cleaner and more abundant and more affordable future. The Hydrogen Fuel and Technologies Office under Sunita's inspired leadership continues to point us in that direction and is an asset to the Department of Energy and our nation. Our energy agenda is the essence of American leadership where hydrogen can forge the pathway.

Thanks for all your participation and for your foresight.

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