The Port of Long Beach has joined the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES).

ARCHES is a public-private partnership formed to help capture newly available federal funding to assist in developing a renewable hydrogen market in California.

The partnership was celebrated Thursday during a launch event at the Port Administration Building attended by officials from the port, City of Long Beach, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the University of California Office of the President, labor organizations, Renewables 100, and state and local officials.

ARCHES will serve as the lead applicant for California’s bid to win funding for a hydrogen hub under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program.

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Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the H2Hubs program will be one of the largest investments in the history of the Department of Energy.

“Hydrogen power represents a tremendous opportunity — both for our state and for cities like Long Beach. We’re looking forward to California leading the way through investment in sustainable technology,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.

“For almost 20 years, the Port of Long Beach has been a leader in sustainable seaport operations,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman.

“Partnerships like this have been a key to our success. Green hydrogen is an important fuel for the future of the shipping industry, and as we strive forward on the Port’s goals of zero-emissions cargo-handling by 2030 and trucks by 2035.”

“Establishment of a hydrogen hub in California would support achieving our zero emission goals,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.

“With $8 billion in federal funding available, we want to ensure we have as much leverage as possible to see that our fair share comes to California, and specifically to the ports. This is a step toward this and accelerating the nation’s clean energy transition.”

In order to tackle greenhouse gases and criteria pollutants, the Port of Long Beach has set a goal of all zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment by 2030 and a zero-emissions drayage truck fleet by 2035.

The Port of Long Beach has awarded more than $2.7 million to community-based projects since 2021 as part of its Community Grant Program to reduce its environmental impact.