In 2003, President George W. Bush set forth a $1.2 billion initiative in his State of the Union address with the goal that “the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen and pollution-free.” In 2021, the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill allocated $9.5 billion to hydrogen; followed by the addition of tax incentives in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that could reduce certain new investments in hydrogen by as much as 50%. This infusion of money has been sufficient to draw the attention of companies and competitors from around the world, but are the incentives enough to enable a lasting hydrogen economy?

This roundtable discussion will bring together experts, students, and others for a thought-provoking off-the-record discussion about the challenges the hydrogen industry is facing as it seeks to transform how energy is produced and delivered. The following five topics will be among the issues addressed:

Why now? Will government support make the difference this time?
What are the most critical obstacles to advancement and how can they be overcome?
With respect to permitting, which some have identified as an obstacle, what types of reforms are preferable, and which are possible?
How can the emerging hydrogen industry assure equity and environmental justice are embedded from the start?
While being a game changer for domestically produced hydrogen, the IRA has massive trade implications. Where’s the balance between supporting domestic production and growing a global hydrogen economy?

Format is a roundtable discussion, in which attendees will participate. Chatham House Rule applies (no attribution outside the room). Objective is to facilitate cross-disciplinary thought and new ideas for dissemination through written summaries. Due to the format, attendance will be limited.

The roundtable will be moderated by Brandon Farris, Head of Federal Government Affairs at The Chemours Company and Assistant Dean for Energy Law Donna Attanasio.

Visitors please enter at Stockton Hall, 740 20th Street, NW, Washington DC.

Sponsored by: GW Environmental & Energy Law Program; GW Law Sustainable Energy Initiative; GW Law Journal of Energy & Environmental Law; GW Environmental & Energy Management Institute, SustainableGW, GW Climate & Health Institute; and GW Law Environmental & Energy Law Association

Collaborative Conversations: Is the Hydrogen Economy Here?