The City of Lancaster is proud to announce the launch of First Public Hydrogen (FPH₂)—a new public renewable H₂ utility. FPH₂ is designed to transform the renewable H₂ market by connecting producers with reliable off-takers through a seamless, transparent process.

"Here in Lancaster, we have made groundbreaking steps to foster a successful and sustainable H₂ economy," said R. Rex Parris, Mayor of the City of Lancaster, and Chair of the FPH₂ Board of Directors. "First Public H₂ is the next step in that journey. I am honored to serve as chair of the FPH₂ board, and alongside leading experts from across government, industry, academia, and labor unions. I am ready to bring the same level of dedication and innovation that brought the rise in renewable H₂ technologies we see in Lancaster, to the rest of California."

FPH₂ is a joint powers authority (JPA) between the City of Lancaster and the City of Industry, California. Currently, there exists a significant disconnect: large off-takers of renewable H₂ seek seamless purchasing without the burden of project vetting, while producers face significant upfront investment challenges. FPH₂ bridges this gap to foster collaboration and drive market growth. FPH₂ bridges this gap, fostering collaboration to drive H₂ market development and growth.

"The City of Industry is proud to partner with Lancaster in launching First Public H₂," said Cory Moss, Mayor of the City of Industry. "This groundbreaking initiative reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability while fostering economic growth. By creating a transparent and scalable H₂ utility, FPH₂ positions our region and California as leaders in the clean energy revolution. Together, we are paving the way for a future powered by renewable green H₂."

The public utility will work to connect renewable H₂ producers, including those producing through solar energy, wind energy, and renewable natural gas, with confirmed and reliable buyers that have plans to leverage renewable H₂'s decarbonization potential across several industries, including shipping and ports, transportation, and the power sector.

The FPH₂ Board of Directors will be chaired by City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. Mayor Parris has been a leader in renewable H₂ developments and is a key figure in the transformation of Lancaster into a global leader in clean and renewable H₂ technology. Other board appointees will include experts with deep renewable H₂ knowledge including Aura Vasquez, Vasquez Solutions; Joël Barton, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Jack Brouwer, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine and; Tanya Peacock, EcoEngineers.

The day-to-day operation of FPH₂ will be led by CEO Jason Caudle, General Counsel Allison Burns, and Assistant Director Alexus Merino.

"The launch of First Public H₂ is a pivotal moment in ushering in a greener era," said Jack Brouwer, Director of the Clean Energy Institute at UC Irvine and Board Member of FPH₂. "Green H₂ technologies and infrastructure have been ready, but they've remained largely untapped due to the absence of a robust market. FPH₂ will catalyze and develop a sustainable H₂ market, transforming the energy landscape and paving the way for a clean energy future. I am thrilled to play a role in this revolutionary shift and to contribute to the growth of this vital market."