The Redding Rancheria Tribe and the State of California Department of Conservation announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tribe has received a $500,000 grant from the Department of Conservation to assist the Tribe with developing a new green H₂ production facility in Red Bluff, California.

The green H₂ will help address climate change by providing clean fuel for transportation on the I-5 corridor, replacing fossil fuels that emit CO₂, and eventually providing electricity as well. The green H₂ will be produced utilizing forest biomass from the Sierra Nevada mountains. Removing dead, down, and diseased trees and underbrush from the forest is part of a State and Federal policy to prevent catastrophic forest fires.

"We congratulate the Redding Rancheria Tribe and look forward to our ongoing collaboration," said Department of Conservation Director David Shabazian. "Converting forest biomass waste into carbon-negative energy is a critical part of achieving California's climate goals while reducing wildfire hazards, improving watersheds and supporting sustainable local economies in the region."

The facility will produce over 30,000 kg/d of clean green H₂ from completely renewable sources. The green H₂ is produced utilizing pyrolysis, a safe and proven method, now being used in an innovative manner which uses a fraction of the electricity required to produce H₂ by electrolysis and does not require any carbon sequestration. This green H₂ production facility will assist truck manufacturers with meeting California's "first-in-the-world rule" zero emissions vehicle policy. The Tribe is licensing the technology from H2 Energy Group, an experienced green H₂ producer.

Tribal member and President of the Redding Rancheria Economic Development Corporation, Jeremy Hayward said, "As tribal members we've learned to be responsible for the next seven generations. We're very motivated to finish this project. Producing H₂ from excess forest biomass is a win/win for the environment, addressing climate change and destructive forest fires at the same time.  We have to do our part to make this world a better place for our kids.  The Tribe is grateful for the State Department of Conservation's assistance, and the support of the City of Red Bluff."

H2 Energy Group Chairman and Founder Christopher Headrick said, "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Redding Rancheria and the State of California on this project. Our technology produces green H₂ that is truly carbon-negative. The I-5 corridor is a natural place to deploy this technology to produce green H₂ fuel as soon as possible."