Hydrogen hub work group approved

Nebraska could seek to be selected as a regional clean hydrogen hub under a bill passed by the Legislature March 11.

LB1099, introduced by Brainard Sen. Bruce Bostelman, requires the state Department of Economic Development to create a work group whose members will be appointed by the governor.

The group will include representatives from manufacturing or industry, agriculture, transportation and energy. It also may include a representative of a clean hydrogen manufacturer.

The group’s purpose is to draft a proposal seeking Nebraska’s selection by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of four regional clean hydrogen hubs authorized under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congress passed last year.

The bill authorizes the department to contract with private consultants to create the proposal.

LB1099 passed on a vote of 47-0 and took effect immediately.