Rowan University among partners in Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) to advance clean energy

Rowan University is among the education partners supporting the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2), selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for award negotiations to receive up to $750 million in funding from the Hydrogen Hubs program. The program supports the development of a clean hydrogen hub—a network of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure—in Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey. 

The Department of Energy’s H2Hubs will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. 

“Unlocking the full potential of hydrogen—a versatile fuel that can be made from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country—is crucial to achieving President Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable clean energy options for American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With this historic investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is laying the foundation for a new, American-led industry that will propel the global clean energy transition while creating high quality jobs and delivering healthier communities in every pocket of the nation.”

“We are excited to support the MACH2 partnership,” said Rowan University Provost Tony Lowman. “This new green energy industry will require skilled labor to produce, store and transport hydrogen. Rowan University stands ready to build the region’s new workforce, along with our training and industry partners. 

“We will offer flexible, accessible and affordable pathways to credentials and degrees, starting as early as high school and going all the way through the Ph.D. level. We’ll also work with our industry partners to ensure those degrees lead to local, meaningful careers. This stackable credit education model is the piece that’s missing from today’s economy,” Lowman added.

Funded by President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the H2Hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen—helping generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation. 

Together, they will also reduce 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from end-uses each year—an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars—and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country while supporting healthier communities and strengthening America's energy security.

MACH2 was ranked among the most pro-labor and greenest hubs in the nation. All projects will be constructed with project labor agreements and all clean hydrogen production will come from renewable energy, nuclear energy, and capturing wastewater emissions (no fossil fuel extraction). It was chosen as one of seven regional clean hydrogen hubs nationally.  

“MACH 2 is an exciting opportunity for South Jersey and the entire Mid-Atlantic region that will transform our regional economy and create thousands of good-paying union jobs and careers throughout our region while also reducing pollution and building a more sustainable future,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “The construction and operation of MACH 2 will provide immense benefits and opportunities to our local communities and workforce who are well positioned to lead the clean energy future. Beyond the economic impacts, MACH 2 will also decrease pollutants in the air, enhance public health outcomes, and ensure a greener and more sustainable future for South Jersey and our entire region. 

“MACH 2 is poised to revolutionize our region and presents an unparalleled opportunity to reduce pollution and ensure a clean and healthy environment while creating good family-sustaining union jobs that are at the forefront of the clean hydrogen economy,” Norcross added. “This type of investment would not be possible without the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which continues to deliver for working families across the country. There is no better place for a green hydrogen hub than right here in South Jersey and the Mid- Atlantic, and I look forward to working toward a prosperous green energy future that will serve generations to come.”

MACH2’s selection will result in a substantial investment in research and development and workforce development in partnership with area universities and organizations including University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technology & Community College, University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney University, Rowan University, the Collegiate Consortium, Philadelphia Works, DE Workforce Development Board, FAME, Inc. and DESCA. 

More from MACH2 partners 

“The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub will play an essential role in advancing our region’s economic and environmental goals by creating more than twenty thousand well-paying jobs in the production, delivery, and use of zero-emission green and pink hydrogen to repower our region’s industrial facilities, transportation systems, and agriculture sectors. This historic federal investment will help ensure that our clean energy future is union-made here in the U.S., advance environmental justice by reducing pollution in frontline communities, and achieve deep emission reductions in hard-to-abate sectors. We are incredibly grateful to President Joe Biden, Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons, Bob Casey, John Fetterman, Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, Representatives Donald Norcross, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Brendan Boyle, Brian Fitzpatrick, Madeline Dean, Dwight Evans, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlihan, Governors Carney, Shapiro and Wolf, Mayor Kenney, and all of the partners in labor, business, academia, communities, and non-profit organizations who came together across the tri-state area to make today’s announcement possible,” said Collin O’Mara, chair of MACH2 and president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.

“MACH2’s successful bid for funding was the result of a collaborative effort between industry, labor, government and community groups across the region.  “The strength of our application speaks to the assets our region has to offer–a robust workforce and union labor, access to world-class academic and research institutions, a robust innovation ecosystem, and strong and continued engagement with communities,” said Marty Wade, CEO of MACH2. “MACH2 will only serve to further position our region as a national leader in the clean energy economy.” 

“Collaboration is the key to success in strengthening our region’s economy and advancing sustainable energy sources for the future. The University of Delaware is proud to lead MACH2’s higher education workforce development initiatives in partnership with Cheyney, Rowan and Penn. Working together, we will provide new educational and research opportunities for our students and grow our region’s skilled workforce for the high-paying clean-hydrogen jobs of today and the future,” said University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis. 

“Cheyney University, as part of its workforce development initiative, will design a regional safety training lab.  This lab will provide opportunities for individuals to gain the knowledge and skill as entry-level employees, in addition to exposing underrepresented populations to careers in clean energy,” Dr. Pamela Keye, chief social equity officer at Cheyney University. 

“The University of Pennsylvania is thrilled to contribute to the goals of the MACH2 to advance clean hydrogen energy. With partners in the Hub, we will develop groundbreaking research that generates technologies and implementation that can transform the energy base of the region.  We will help develop educational programs that support the new workforce.  The opportunity for academic institutions to collaborate with industry partners and the community is exciting and is the best path to success,” said Dawn Bonnell, Ph.D., senior vice provost for research at University of Pennsylvania.