On Thursday, Georgia officials announced the bipartisan Georgia Hydrogen Energy Braintrust, an organization designed to increase Georgia’s influence on the hydrogen energy industry.
Founding officials, Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Republican Vice-Chairman of the Public Service Commission Tim Echols say the braintrust allows local businesses and scientists to utilize private and public funds for hydrogen energy research. Their third founding partner, Georgia Tech, is the research leader.
Many environmental organizations are wary in their support for hydrogen energy, but hopeful for a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund say hydrogen energy may reduce government and business’ environmental impact, but further research is required to ensure its safety.
The braintrust’s launch comes shortly after Ossoff and a coalition of politicians, utilities, and other businesses announced their effort to win a $8 billion grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for a southeast hydrogen hub funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Braintrust members plan to meet quarterly, according to officials. Their first meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6 at Georgia Power’s McDonough Plant -- the utility’s first test site for a hydrogen fuel mix.