The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) has received an initial $30 million funding boost from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance a multi-state effort focused on establishing a hydrogen-based manufacturing and energy hub spanning West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The project, poised to receive up to $925 million in federal funding, aims to develop a regional cluster of hydrogen producers, consumers, and infrastructure to reduce emissions by utilizing hydrogen produced through electrolysis. This hydrogen production process can utilize renewable energy sources or fossil fuels. Officials from ARCH2 anticipate that the federal funding will catalyze significant private sector investment, leading to the creation of numerous well-paying jobs and the rejuvenation of communities impacted by the energy transition. While the project has garnered praise for its potential economic and environmental benefits, critics, including environmentalists and legislators, have raised concerns about the project's technologies and transparency. Representative Dawn Keefer criticized legal changes related to the project, questioning their impact on public welfare. The Ohio River Valley Institute has also expressed doubt, labeling the ARCH2 hub a 'boondoggle' and calling into question the continued support for the natural gas industry. In response to criticisms, ARCH2 officials have pledged to provide regular updates, beginning with an upcoming webinar aimed at offering detailed insights into the hub's development and objectives, seeking to address concerns and foster transparency as the project progresses.