California Black Media

Biden’s ‘Hydrogen Hub’ Plan Set to Generate Thousands of Clean Energy Jobs in California

Last week, clean energy advocates and industry experts praised a new federal government program that is expected to bring thousands of jobs to California. As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics — the President’s economic plan — the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the $7 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program across the nation on Oct. 13.

Published

9 months ago

November 4, 2023

Oakland Post

Low-cost, clean hydrogen is a valuable energy product that can be produced with zero or near-zero carbon emissions. Image courtesy California Black Media.

By California Black Media

Last week, clean energy advocates and industry experts praised a new federal government program that is expected to bring thousands of jobs to California.

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics — the President’s economic plan — the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the $7 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program across the nation on Oct. 13.

The program, which creates seven regional hubs in seven states, including California, is expected to be a boon for Black and other minority communities.

It is part of the federal government’s Justice40 initiative, which requires that 40% of the “overall benefits” of the program will be used to invest in marginalized communities and places that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution.

“The seven selected regional clean hydrogen hubs will catalyze more than $40 billion in private investment and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs — bringing the total public and private investment in hydrogen hubs to nearly $50 billion,” the Biden-Harris administration said in a statement.

The program is designed to accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen — a valuable energy product that can be produced with zero or near-zero carbon emissions and is crucial to meeting Biden’s climate and energy security goals, according to the White House.

“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 Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable energy options for American families and businesses,” stated U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

“This federal investment is significant because it complements and it unlocks so much private investment and investment from the states,” said Chris Hannan, president of ARCHES partner State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, in a statement.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

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8 hours ago

July 26, 2024

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Oakland Post: Week of July 17 -23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 17 -23, 2024

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6 days ago

July 20, 2024

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California Black Media

New California Laws Require High School Classes on Drug Education, Financial Literacy and Ethnic Studies

Last week, California became the 26th state to require high school seniors to pass courses focused on finance literacy, coming behind recently added ethnic studies prerequisite and a health class requirement focused on the dangers of fentanyl use. The senior class of 2031 will be the first group of students to take the mandatory financial literacy course. California school districts are required to implement Assembly Bill 2927, authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), at the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock photo.

By Bo Tefu

California Black Media

The senior class of 2031 will be the first group of students to take the mandatory financial literacy course. California school districts are required to implement Assembly Bill 2927, authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), at the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year.

The bill works hand-in-hand with newly approved Assembly Bill 2429, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego). That law requires students to take health classes that discuss the dangers of fentanyl use and illegal drugs commencing in the 2026-2027 school year.

Both bills require high school seniors to complete the designated coursework during any semester between the ninth and 12th grades. High school students in charter schools are also required to complete the state-mandated coursework. Under this law, local educational agencies will impose the required courses using state-mandated local programs.

McCarty said that the financial literacy classes will prepare students for the future and empower them to make smart money decisions throughout life.

“It’s such an important life skill,” he said. “The stressors that young people face today — especially student loans, renting, buying a house, credit cards all those things are so critically important. And if you fall behind, the consequences have a serious impact later in life.”

Unlike the bill on financial literacy that imposes classes as a graduation requirement, the bill on health education allows school districts to choose if health classes are a graduation prerequisite.

Alvarez said that health education can help address the state’s fentanyl epidemic, specifically among the youth.

“I think it’s important… that we share facts with young people, especially these days as they rely more and more on social media with misinformation,” said Alvarez.

“There’s still no better-trusted source than our schools for students and for families to receive the information that they need in order to make better decisions and better choices,” he continued.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state needs to help prepare young people in a statement backing the bills.

“Saving for the future, making investments, and spending wisely are lifelong skills that young adults need to learn before they start their careers, not after,” the Governor said in statement backing the education bills.

Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the state will also require high school seniors to take an additional one-semester course on ethnic studies.