WHEREAS, Hydrogen, with an atomic mass of 1.008, is the most abundant element in the universe; and

WHEREAS, California is a national and global leader in the advancement and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies; and

WHEREAS, Hydrogen fuel cells have contributed to major scientific and engineering achievements, including in aerospace, in which California plays a historic and ongoing role; and

WHEREAS, California’s private sector, state agencies, academic institutions, and national laboratories are pioneering innovations in hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell applications to address the most pressing energy, environmental, and economic challenges facing the state and the nation; and

WHEREAS, The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), a public-private partnership in California, is leading the state’s effort to establish a robust and equitable clean hydrogen ecosystem and was selected as a United States Department of Energy Hydrogen Hub, positioning California at the forefront of the national hydrogen economy; and

WHEREAS, Hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity using hydrogen and hydrogen-rich fuels, are clean, efficient, safe, and resilient technologies currently being utilized in stationary and backup power generation and zero-emission transportation, including light-duty vehicles, public transit buses, delivery fleets, industrial equipment, marine vessels, and emerging applications like aviation and rail; and

WHEREAS, Stationary fuel cells are being deployed across California to ensure energy resilience and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, providing businesses and communities with reliable power during planned and unplanned outages; and

WHEREAS, Fuel cell technologies can significantly reduce water consumption compared to traditional thermal power generation methods that rely on large volumes of water for steam production and cooling, making fuel cells a more water-efficient solution for clean power generation; and

WHEREAS, Fuel cell electric vehicles using hydrogen offer drivers performance comparable to traditional vehicles, including fast refueling times and long driving ranges; and

WHEREAS, Hydrogen-powered industrial vehicles are operational in California distribution centers and ports, helping to decarbonize freight and logistics; and

WHEREAS, Hydrogen is a versatile and nontoxic energy carrier that can be produced from a wide variety of renewable and low-carbon resources available in California, including solar, wind, biogas, and waste biomass; and

WHEREAS, Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies support grid reliability and renewable energy integration by providing energy storage and load balancing capabilities; and

WHEREAS, California has adopted ambitious goals for decarbonization, climate resilience, and air quality, and hydrogen technologies are a vital part of achieving those objectives; and

WHEREAS, Engineers, scientists, and safety professionals in California are actively developing and refining codes, standards, and best practices to ensure the safe production, transport, and use of hydrogen; and

WHEREAS, The innovation and ingenuity of Californians are essential to realizing a clean hydrogen economy that benefits the environment, public health, and the state’s workforce; now, therefore, be it