Shifting Energy Priorities Are Reshaping the H2Hubs Program

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program, a cornerstone of the previous administration’s climate and energy strategy, has encountered significant changes under the new administration. Once a flagship initiative to build a nationwide clean hydrogen economy, the H2Hubs program is now at a political and operational crossroads, with shifting federal energy priorities reshaping its trajectory.

One of the most immediate and impactful changes since January involves a proposed rollback of funding for more than half of the originally approved hydrogen hubs. The DOE confirmed it was considering reducing or eliminating funding for four of the seven selected hubs in March 2025 — those based in California, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest — that represent nearly 60% of the $7 billion in federal support initially committed to the program. Conversely, funding for hubs located in Appalachia, the Gulf Coast and the Upper Midwest appear to have maintained support of the new administration funding.