MAYOR ROTH TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA TO AFFIRM HYDROGEN ALLIANCE  

MAYOR ROTH TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA TO AFFIRM HYDROGEN ALLIANCE

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth is in California this week to officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) affirming the County of Hawaiʻi’s commitment to clean hydrogen exploration. Mayor Roth is meeting with government officials from Namie, Japan, Lancaster, California, and other dignitaries to sign the MOU, which will be a significant step in developing a hydrogen economy in Hawaiʻi.

The MOU will be signed by the mayors of the three participating cities, including Hawaiʻi County, and will reinforce their dedication to the H2 Twin Cities program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. This program aims to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels by promoting the use of clean, renewable hydrogen energy systems. Participation in the program will provide Hawaiʻi County with technical assistance, funding, and other resources to support the development of regional hydrogen energy networks.

“This is about walking the talk of sustainability,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “We need to find ways to diversify our energy portfolio and economy while decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, and we’re confident that the conversion to a hydrogen economy will significantly help us do both of those things.”

The H2 Twin Cities program will see the formation of a “Pacific Hydrogen Alliance” between Hawaiʻi County, Lancaster, California, and Namie Town in Japan. Lancaster and Namie will share best practices and strategies with Hawaiʻi County to support targets of carbon neutrality by 2035 and address shared aims to develop a trained workforce, improve diversity, fairness and inclusion, and environmental justice practices. In addition, the partnership will emphasize the benefits of clean hydrogen solutions on people’s lives, the local economy, and the environment.

The Hawaiʻi County Council will consider Resolution 163 on May 3, which allows the Director of Research and Development of Hawaiʻi County to enter into the agreement to form the partnership with Lancaster and Namie. According to Council Chair Heather Kimball, the resolution is merely a formality, as the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes stipulate that council approval is necessary for county departments to engage in agreements with the federal and state governments. Therefore, a waiver of Resolution 163 directly to Council was granted so that the contract could be signed on May 5.

Mayor Roth’s visit to California is a significant milestone for Hawaiʻi County, demonstrating its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the expansion of renewable energy jobs. In addition, the selection of Hawaiʻi County for the H2 Twin Cities program is a significant achievement for the county and represents a crucial step toward creating a clean, sustainable hydrogen economy.

For more information about the H2 Twin Cities program and Hawaii County’s participation, please visit the Department of Energy’s website at: https://www.energy.gov/eere/h2twincities/h2-twin-cities-2022-winners or contact the Hawaii County Department Research and Development.