REDDING, CA – 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 hydrogen production facility in Red Bluff, CA.
The green hydrogen will help provide clean fuel for transportation on the I-5 corridor, replacing fossil fuels that emit CO2, and eventually providing electricity as well. The green hydrogen 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 of clean green hydrogen per day from completely renewable sources. The green hydrogen 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 hydrogen by electrolysis, and does not require any carbon sequestration. This green hydrogen 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 hydrogen producer.
“As tribal members, we’ve learned to be responsible for the next seven generations,” said Jeremy Hayward, tribal member and President of the Redding Rancheria Economic Development Corporation. “Producing hydrogen 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.”
