The State of West Virginia, EQT Corporation, Battelle, GTI Energy, and Allegheny Science & Technology are collaborating to establish a regional clean hydrogen hub in the Appalachian region: the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub – ARCH2.

ARCH2 is expected to be centered in West Virginia while expanding its impact in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. The region is the ideal location for a clean hydrogen hub, the partners say, due to its unique access to ample low-cost natural gas feedstock, end-user demand, workforce and technology capability, and carbon sequestration potential.

Since the partnership was publicly announced, ARCH2 has added strategic partners that now include over 120 private sector industry leaders, utilities, universities, non-profits, transportation, and state agencies interested in building a hydrogen economy in northern Appalachia.

The Adams Fork Energy clean ammonia project is an anchor project of the hub.

In October 2023, the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations announced ARCH2 was selected to receive up to $925 million in DOE funding.

In July 2024, the hub executed a cooperative agreement with DOE and was awarded $30 million for Phase 1, which is expected to last up to 36 months, starting in July 2024. The remaining portions of the allocated federal dollars will be unlocked in future phases as the hub successfully reaches specific milestones set by the DOE.