For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                   Contact: Molly Weedn

July 18, 2023                                                                                                                                                      media@arches2.org

California – The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, CalAsian Chamber, and California African American Chamber of Commerce, representing Latino, Asian and African American businesses up and down the state have joined in support of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES).

ARCHES, announced as the organizer for California’s Department of Energy (DOE) application last year to serve as a hydrogen (H2) hub, is a statewide public-private partnership designed to accelerate H2’s contribution to decarbonizing the state’s economy and will build on California’s long-standing clean renewable energy leadership. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has joined with the University of California, state agencies, elected leaders, organized labor, along with non-profit and industry organizations to build the framework for California’s renewable, clean H2 hub.

“We are proud to support ARCHES, which will bring  green jobs to California with exciting clean renewable projects across the state,” said Julian Canete, President & CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. “For too long, Latino communities throughout the Central Valley have been plagued by some of the worst air quality in the state, and the H2 projects as part of ARCHES will not only improve air quality but will bring hundreds of thousands of jobs, support local business and will help California reach our climate goals.”

California has set ambitious climate and clean air goals, including achieving carbon neutrality economy-wide by 2045. To hit these goals, the state must dramatically reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, with hydrogen being a key player.

“The CalAsian Chamber has joined in support of ARCHES because the projects included in the application for funding with the U.S. Department of Energy are good not only for California’s ambitious climate platform, but also our diverse small businesses and underserved communities,” said Pat Fong Kushida, President & CEO, CalAsian Chamber. ARCHES is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, including for the AAPI+ community, and we wholeheartedly look forward to working together in coming months.”

“Black and Brown communities have long faced inequities in accessing capital and opportunities for economic advancement,” emphasized Ahmad Holmes, Interim Chief Operating Officer of the California African American Chamber of Commerce. “The California African American Chamber has united in support of ARCHES because of its commitment to a just and equitable hydrogen energy transition that prioritizes access to quality green jobs and engages disadvantaged business enterprises in hydrogen project development. This aligns perfectly with our mission to drive economic opportunity and wealth creation for African American businesses and individuals.”

ARCHES submitted its application to the DOE in April and continues to hold regular community meetings and ongoing working group discussions to advance and accelerate the creation of a sustainable H2 ecosystem in California.

About ARCHES

ARCHES is California’s public-private hydrogen (H2) consortium to accelerate the development and deployment of renewable, clean H2 projects and infrastructure. Clean H2 can supplement renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance a zero-carbon economy. The US Department of Energy will award $8 billion to up to 10 regional H2 hubs to build self-sustaining H2 economies of producers, infrastructure, and users. In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), ARCHES unites key public and private stakeholders to build the framework for a California renewable, clean H2 hub.

ARCHES includes major planned deployments in the Los Angeles Basin and SF Bay Areas, and across the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and other regions. Using 100% renewable resources, ARCHES projects will dramatically reduce GHG and pollutant emissions, improve the lives of California’s citizens, and produce hundreds of thousands of good, green careers for California’s workforce.

About the Chambers

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce is the leading regional Hispanic and ethnic business organization in the Nation. The CHCC and its network of over 100 chambers and associations represent the interest of California’s 815,000 Hispanic-owned businesses. Through its advocacy, education, and empowerment programs, the CHCC brings California’s small business community’s issues and needs to the forefront of the California and National economic agendas.

The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber) was founded in 2010 to give a voice to the over 746,000+ Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) owned businesses in California. We advocate for policies, legislation, and programs that help diverse small businesses reach new markets and expand their operations. We create an inclusive and more resilient California by providing access, education, and opportunities that enable small businesses to increase profits, connect to opportunities, and influence local and state policies.

The California African American Chamber of Commerce is the state’s largest statewide Black chamber organization. Its mission is to drive economic opportunity and wealth creation for African American businesses, connect and harness the collective strength of our statewide network of member organizations to elevate fiscal health.