TriMet, the transit agency in Portland, Oregon, is embracing hydrogen as part of its sustainability efforts. With plans to build a hydrogen refueling hub at its new operations center, the agency aims to kickstart the growth of the hydrogen industry. The project, funded by $70 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will initially serve 14 hydrogen fuel cell buses along the 82nd Ave Corridor starting in 2029. The long-term goal is to have a completely zero-emission bus fleet by 2040. Advocates, including Jeremy Holland from the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, see this initiative as crucial for promoting renewable hydrogen development and supporting a transition to a hydrogen economy. They highlight the role of federal support, tax credits, and mandates in driving such projects that contribute to decarbonization. Holland compares TriMet's commitment to a significant anchor tenant in a mall, suggesting that it could attract further investments in the hydrogen sector. Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using renewable power and water, is positioned as a highly sustainable fuel source for powering buses. While hydrogen fuel cell transportation offers benefits like extended range and quick refueling times, TriMet acknowledges the importance of both hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles in its future fleet. The agency already operates 34 battery electric buses alongside its conventional fleet, indicating a balanced approach towards zero-emission transportation.