---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16161a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16161a"
heading: "Regional clean hydrogen hubs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16161a"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter VIII — Hydrogen"
---

# §16161a. Regional clean hydrogen hubs

- (a) **Definition of regional clean hydrogen hub—** In this section, the term “regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub” means a network of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) producers, potential [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) consumers, and connective [infrastructure](/usc/42/16152.md?p=4) located in close proximity.
- (b) **Establishment of program—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall establish a program to support the development of at least 4 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hubs that—
  - (1) demonstrably aid the achievement of the [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) production standard developed under [section 16166(a) of this title](/usc/42/16166.md?p=a);
  - (2) demonstrate the production, processing, delivery, [storage](/usc/42/16152.md?p=6), and end-use of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1); and
  - (3) can be developed into a national [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) network to facilitate a [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) economy.
- (c) **Selection of regional clean hydrogen hubs—**
  - (1) **Solicitation of proposals—** Not later than 180 days after November 15, 2021, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall solicit proposals for regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hubs.
  - (2) **Selection of hubs—** Not later than 1 year after the deadline for the submission of proposals under [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall select at least 4 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hubs to be developed under [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (3) **Criteria—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall select regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hubs under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) using the following criteria:
    - (A) **Feedstock diversity—** To the maximum extent practicable—
      - (i) at least 1 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub shall demonstrate the production of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) from fossil fuels;
      - (ii) at least 1 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub shall demonstrate the production of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) from renewable energy; and
      - (iii) at least 1 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub shall demonstrate the production of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) from nuclear energy.
    - (B) **End-use diversity—** To the maximum extent practicable—
      - (i) at least 1 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub shall demonstrate the end-use of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) in the electric power generation sector;
      - (ii) at least 1 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub shall demonstrate the end-use of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) in the industrial sector;
      - (iii) at least 1 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub shall demonstrate the end-use of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) in the residential and commercial heating sector; and
      - (iv) at least 1 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub shall demonstrate the end-use of [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) in the transportation sector.
    - (C) **Geographic diversity—** To the maximum extent practicable, each regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub—
      - (i) shall be located in a different region of the United States; and
      - (ii) shall use energy resources that are abundant in that region.
    - (D) **Hubs in natural gas-producing regions—** To the maximum extent practicable, at least 2 regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hubs shall be located in the regions of the United States with the greatest natural gas resources.
    - (E) **Employment—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall give priority to regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hubs that are likely to create opportunities for skilled training and long-term employment to the greatest number of residents of the region.
    - (F) **Additional criteria—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may take into consideration other criteria that, in the judgment of the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), are necessary or appropriate to carry out this subchapter[^1]
  - (4) **Funding of regional clean hydrogen hubs—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may make grants to each regional [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1) hub selected under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) to accelerate commercialization of, and demonstrate the production, processing, delivery, [storage](/usc/42/16152.md?p=6), and end-use of, [clean hydrogen](/usc/42/16152.md?p=1).
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) to carry out this section $8,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 813, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1008.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 813 of Pub. L. 109–58 was renumbered section 818 and is classified to section 16162 of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.