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Legislation introduced in the state Senate is putting a spotlight on the increasing market for alternative-fuel vehicles and new low-carbon energy sources. 

State Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, has proposed , a bill that would establish a legislative hydrogen study committee to 鈥淚nvestigate and evaluate existing laws and regulations and recommend legislation related to the production, distribution and storage of hydrogen.鈥� 

Hydrogen has traditionally been relied on for petroleum refinement, 鈥渢reating metals, producing fertilizer, and processing foods,鈥� but is increasingly being considered as an alternative fuel source.

The U.S. Department of Energy that hydrogen gained notoriety as an alternative fuel due to its ability to 鈥減ower fuel cells in zero-emmision vehicles鈥� and the relative ease with which it could be generated domestically. 

The gas was first considered a fuel by the federal government with the passage of the . 

Nikola Motors

Nikola, a producer of zero-emission vehicles including a hydrogen-powered semi-truck, recently set up operations in the state. The company announced a $1 billion in the state in 2018, and built its headquarters in Phoenix near Sky Harbor Airport.

Last year, Gov. Doug Ducey joined the company to celebrate National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day. Mark Russell, Nikola鈥檚 CEO, said at the time that 鈥淗ydrogen is an important part of Nikola鈥檚 future. As we get ready for the launch of our 2023 fuel cell electric vehicles that will be made in Arizona, we are working to build a hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure across the nation to power our trucks.鈥�

Ducey has previously supported Nikola鈥檚 development in the state, in 2018, 鈥淣ikola Motor Co.鈥檚 selection of Arizona demonstrates that we are leading the charge when it comes to attracting innovative, industry-disrupting companies. This incredible new technology will revolutionize transportation, and we鈥檙e very proud it will be engineered right here in Arizona.鈥�

Building infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles

In order for Nikola and similar ventures to succeed, they will need to convince public and private stakeholders that infrastructure that supports hydrogen-fueled vehicles needs to be built.

the U.S. Department of Energy, there are already national efforts underway to expand hydrogen infrastructure as alternative-fuel vehicles are deployed. In mid-2021, nearly 50 鈥渙pen retail hydrogen stations鈥� existed in the United States, and approximately 60 more were under development. Nonetheless, they were largely concentrated in California.

Additionally, a national public-private partnership consisting of 鈥渇ederal agencies, automakers, hydrogen providers, fuel cell developers, national laboratories, and additional stakeholders鈥� called exists with the mission of expanding hydrogen infrastructure and supporting alternative transportation options.

Natural gas company exploring hydrogen blend

Southwest Gas, Arizona鈥檚 largest natural gas utility, is studying how introducing hydrogen into its natural gas distribution system can further reduce carbon emissions while still providing reliable energy. 

The company is teaming with Arizona State University鈥檚 Lightworks, a program within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Future Laboratory, which will provide third-party guidance in developing the studies. The research will be conducted at Southwest Gas’ Tempe training facility to assess how natural gas blended with hydrogen behaves in the existing natural gas distribution system and whether and how it affects gas appliances in a controlled environment. 

The Southwest Gas and ASU study will use pre-purchased hydrogen bottles and create a mixture of up to 20% hydrogen with 80% natural gas.
鈥淲hile clean, affordable and reliable natural gas has already helped drive emissions reductions, we believe Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and hydrogen are powerful solutions to further decarbonize our system,鈥� Southwest Gas President and CEO John Hester said in a . 鈥淟ike we have done with RNG, we are taking a proactive pioneering approach to hydrogen. These partnerships will help shape the low-carbon future for our Company, and more importantly, the communities we serve. We look forward to demonstrating how hydrogen blended with natural gas can fuel everyday energy needs while further reducing emissions.鈥�