DOE/EIS-0569: Appalachian Hydrogen Hub

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts for the proposed action of providing financial assistance to the Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle) to facilitate the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub (also referred to as the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub or ARCH2) in the Appalachian Region including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Appalachian Hydrogen Hub is proposed to consist of a suite of demonstration projects involving clean hydrogen production, transportation, and end uses located within the Appalachian Region that includes Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Battelle is the primary funding recipient and lead Appalachian Hydrogen Hub manager. 

As currently proposed, the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub would encompass 12 proposed projects, including hydrogen production facilities that could produce at least 1,700 metric tons per day of clean hydrogen (autothermal reformation facilities with carbon capture, biomass pyrolysis facilities, electrolysis facilities, and facilities for recovering hydrogen from waste gases), hydrogen liquefiers, and a range of end uses including residential fuel cells, materials handling equipment, mobility, and industrial uses, including production of ammonia, urea, and low-carbon aviation fuel.

DOE will be the lead federal agency in the preparation of the EIS.

What’s New

December 2024 - Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the DOE has determined that an EIS is required to inform a decision on whether to provide federal funding to Batelle in support of portions of the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub. DOE welcomed your input on the proposed scope of the EIS on or before March 3, 2025.

Project Schedule

MilestoneAnticipated Date
Start dateDecember 11, 2024
Publication of NOIDecember 18, 2024
Virtual public scoping meetingJanuary 16, 2025
In-person public scoping meetings (cancelled)February 2025
End of scoping periodMarch 3, 2025
Analyze scoping comments and prepare EISMarch 2025 – October 2025
Issuance of Draft EISOctober 2025
Public comment period for Draft EISOctober 2025 – November 2025
Issuance of Final EISApril 2026
Issuance of Record of DecisionMay 2026

Public Comment Opportunities

No public comment opportunities at this time

Additional Information

Learn more about DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program. 

Appalachian Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) | Department of Energy

Additional project information is also available at www.arch2hub.com.

For further information about the EIS email: OCED_ARCH2_EIS@hq.doe.gov.