MORGANTOWN – In celebration of National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, former Sen. Joe Manchin was honored with a Hydrogen Leadership Award for his pivotal role in advancing hydrogen for the nation across party lines.
The recognition was presented at the Hydrogen Americas Summit 2025, in Washington, D.C., by Sunita Satyapal, a long-time hydrogen leader and former director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, on behalf of the entire hydrogen and fuel cell community.
National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day – celebrated for the last 11 years on Oct. 8 (10.08, named for atomic weight of hydrogen, 1.008) – provides a unique opportunity for education and outreach about hydrogen technologies.
Manchin’s bipartisan leadership and vision resulted in $9.5 billion for hydrogen initiatives through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $8 billion for regional hydrogen hubs that also benefit West Virginia’s economy, creating jobs and opportunities for cutting edge technologies of the future.
The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub – ARCH2 – one of seven hubs across the nation, is based in Morgantown.
Manchin commented, “Hydrogen is central to an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and I’m proud that West Virginia has been a leader in clean hydrogen innovation. Hydrogen has the horsepower to run the country cleaner than ever before, and the establishment of an Appalachian hydrogen hub in West Virginia will strengthen our energy security, bolster domestic manufacturing, and deliver new jobs and economic opportunities for the Mountain State. I’m honored to receive this award from Dr. Satyapal.”
Satyapal said, “Sen. Manchin’s bipartisan approach to hydrogen policy has set a global example. His efforts have strengthened U.S. competitiveness while inspiring collaborative progress across the nation and even across international borders – whether it is research innovation, tax credits, hydrogen hubs, or electrolyzer and fuel cell manufacturing, his leadership has had tremendous impact.
She continued, “On behalf of the broad hydrogen and fuel cell community, it’s a privilege to celebrate his leadership with this award – as well as acknowledge his dedicated staff – on National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.”
Hydrogen research received a boost through the Bush Administration in 2003 and was also supported by subsequent administrations including in President Trump’s first term.
Manchin, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, played a pivotal role by authoring and securing the largest investment in energy and emissions reducing technologies in the U.S. history through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, including $8 billion for regional hydrogen hubs and $1.5 billion more for electrolyzer and fuel cell manufacturing incentives.
These investments unlock over $40 billion in further private sector commitments, to strengthen America’s energy independence and reshaped the U.S. into a global hydrogen leader.
Beyond ARCH2, Manchin has been a vocal advocate for U.S. leadership in hydrogen as a critical component of a competitive, clean energy future and along with his colleagues across the aisle, he helped secure key hydrogen tax credits to catalyze the industry. He recognizes hydrogen’s unique ability to provide reliable power for heavy transportation and industry, and welcomes the thousands of hydrogen and fuel cells systems currently running quietly and emissions free.
