On Tuesday, Rep. Peter Abbarno was invited to speak at the 2023 Northwest Renewable Hydrogen Conference in Portland, Oregon about Washington’s efforts to advance renewable hydrogen policy.

“Renewable hydrogen can be generated, stored, and transported quickly, making it a viable source of energy to support our electrical grids,” said Abbarno, R-Centralia. “Diversifying our energy portfolio will bolster our domestic and international security, grow our local economy, and improve our quality of life. There is not one single solution for our energy needs and ‘electrification of everything’ is not feasible.”

The 20th District lawmaker has been a leader on advancing hydrogen in Washington state, serving as co-chair of the Hydrogen Caucus, ranking member on the Capital Budget Committee, and as a member on the House Environment and Energy Committee. On May 18, the Washington Green Hydrogen Alliance (WGHA) named Abbarno as a recipient of their Washington Green Hydrogen Legislative Champion award.

Abbarno is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1729, a measure that would create and expand tax incentives for developing and selling hydrogen fuel products.

In addition, Abbarno:

• Co-sponsored House Bill 1236 (2023), which provides authority for state transit agencies to produce and distribute renewable and electrolytic hydrogen and own or operate fueling stations that can sell to the public – an opportunity that encourages public-private infrastructure partnerships to provide hydrogen fuel to vehicle fleets and the public; 
• Supported Senate Bill 5910 (2022), which authorized municipal, public, and state hydrogen production, sale, and use;
• Voted for $2 million to develop a “Green Hydrogen Hub” proposal for the U.S. Department of Energy; and
• Helped secure funding in the 2021 capital budget for Washington’s first hydrogen refueling station in Chehalis.

“We must continue to invest in energy infrastructure and hydrogen is part of that equation,” said Abbarno. “This is not a partisan issue – smart investments in hydrogen infrastructure will yield big economic benefits and commercial possibilities down the road. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the 2024 legislative session to ensure Washington becomes an international hydrogen hub.”

The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to convene on Jan. 8, 2024.