Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership and RHA Formalize Partnership to Advance Hydrogen Across the Pacific Northwest

Exchange Membership agreement connects two of the nation's hydrogen associations as H2FCP's West Coast footprint grows.

SACRAMENTO, CA, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership (H2FCP) today announced a new Exchange Membership agreement with the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance (RHA), formalizing a partnership to advance hydrogen education, market development, and information sharing across the Pacific Northwest and nationally.

The need for a regional hydrogen buildout is already visible on the ground. Roughly 4,000 heavy-duty diesel trucks serve the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma today, and the City of Seattle counts them among the region's heaviest polluters. Washington has committed to ambitious decarbonization through a Clean Fuel Standard, zero-emission vehicle incentive programs, and state climate goals, creating both the regulatory foundation and investment climate for hydrogen to scale. Oregon Energy Strategy operates a parallel program across state lines.

“We’re enthusiastic about this advancement with the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance to build upon our mutual goal of cleaner mobility solutions across the West Coast and throughout the U.S.,” said Justin Ward, General Manager of Fuel Development at Toyota and H2FCP Board Member. “We've been developing and deploying hydrogen technologies in California for nearly three decades. We know what works, both in technology and the policies needed to succeed. We're eager to build the hydrogen economy together.”

The region also has a head start on supply infrastructure. Hydropower provides about half of the Pacific Northwest's annual electricity generation, positioning renewable hydrogen producers to access abundant, low-carbon power for electrolysis. However, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's latest assessment estimates that the region will need approximately 11 GW of new generation by 2032 to meet demand, making efficient use of existing assets critical as hydrogen scales up. Washington lawmakers have already moved to support this buildout: Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5588 in 2019, authorizing public utility districts to produce and sell renewable hydrogen.

“When we started expanding beyond California, we knew we needed partners who understood their regions as well as we understand ours,” said Bill Elrick, Executive Director of H2FCP. “RHA has spent years building relationships with utilities, tribes, labor, and project developers across the Pacific Northwest. Formalizing this partnership means both RHA and H2FCP members benefit from that work.”

Under the agreement, H2FCP and RHA will exchange information between staff on an ongoing basis, participate in each other's committees and working groups, share reports and educational materials, and coordinate on policy, market, and outreach opportunities as the renewable hydrogen sector scales.

“Renewable hydrogen only scales as fast as the relationships behind it,” said Erin Childs, Executive Director of RHA. “This partnership gives our members a direct line to H2FCP resources and best practices, and gives H2FCP's members access to a rapidly accelerating hydrogen market. This is a partnership that positions both California and the Pacific Northwest for the next phase of industry growth and scaling.”

The partnership comes as hydrogen infrastructure expands past California's borders. According to the Road Map to a US Hydrogen Economy, the U.S. hydrogen economy could generate $140 billion in annual revenue and support 700,000 jobs by 2030, rising to 3.4 million jobs by 2050.

Because fuel cell vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, the same report projects hydrogen adoption could cut U.S. transportation NOx emissions by 36 percent by 2050, benefits that are especially significant in freight corridors and communities that carry the heaviest pollution burden today.

“With new hydrogen fueling stations continuing to come online in Washington State, we need to invest in the partnership and technical expertise that will enable our region to move forward with smart, informed hydrogen policy,” said Neil Hartman, Government Affairs for Washington State United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters and Board Secretary of RHA. “The UA believes a renewable hydrogen economy is a clear win for our members, our community, and our energy infrastructure, and we’re grateful for this partnership to bring California’s hydrogen learnings and insights to the Pacific Northwest.”

“This collaboration aligns with a key H2FCP mission to share knowledge as a national non-profit, and with RHA’s efforts to develop the hydrogen market in the Pacific Northwest, working together to align key stakeholders for the expansion of the hydrogen transportation market,” said Jennifer Hamilton, Operations & Technical Director at H2FCP and RHA Board Member.

Laura Braden
On Message Consulting, LLC
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