California Code, Government Code - GOV § 12100.160

(1) On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law 117-58),  1 a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure that appropriates more than sixty two billion dollars ($62,000,000,000) to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to deliver a more equitable clean energy future for the American people.

(2) Among other things, IIJA authorizes DOE to establish a program to support the development of at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs. IIJA's regional clean hydrogen hubs program presents an important opportunity for the state to further its clean and renewable technology infrastructure, to solidify itself as a global leader in clean hydrogen, and to create long-term skilled employment opportunities for its residents, including those in historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

(3) In June 2022, DOE's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued a Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) No. DE-FOA-0002779: Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs. As set forth in the notice of intent, OCED anticipates issuing FOA No. DE-FOA-0002779 in September or October of 2022. DOE anticipates awarding grants to single-entity applicants that may include numerous key partners or subrecipients.

(4) The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development desires to facilitate the submission of an application in response to FOA No. DE-FOA-0002779 and to receive funding from the regional clean hydrogen hubs program for California. Because DOE anticipates issuing FOA No. DE-FOA-0002779 in September or October of 2022, the office needs the authority to quickly develop a workgroup with the expertise necessary to prepare, submit, and otherwise advance a competitive application.