First US Hydrogen Public Utility to Launch in California

The project will serve as an intermediary between clean hydrogen providers and consumers.

1 minute read

January 31, 2025, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White hydrogen tank.

magann / Adobe Stock

Two California cities are launching the country’s first hydrogen public utility, reports Emma Penrod in Smart Cities Dive.

Officials with First Public Hydrogen, or FPH2, which will serve the cities of Lancaster and Industry, say they hope to continue funding the project even without federal tax credits. “While there are challenges at the national level, we believe the combination of 45V incentives and state-level initiatives will drive the necessary growth in renewable energy and hydrogen production to achieve scale,” said Lancaster mayor Rex Perris.

“The hydrogen utility plans to serve as an aggregator between suppliers of hydrogen and would-be customers, including municipalities, other public utilities, transit agencies, and private sector companies in industries such as logistics, shipping and transportation,”  according to the mayor.

“By acting as a public intermediary between buyers and sellers of hydrogen, FPH2 aims to make hydrogen more accessible, affordable and transparent, Parris said in an interview with Utility Dive.” The project plans to begin delivering hydrogen to customers by early 2026.

Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Smart Cities Dive

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