President Joe Biden aims to make Philadelphia hub for clean energy with new initiative

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- President Joe Biden visited Philadelphia on Friday afternoon to discuss his economic agenda.

In the city, Biden said a $7 billion investment in hydrogen energy has already spurred $43 million in investments from the private sector.

The goal is to create a clean hydrogen energy economy starting in Philadelphia.

"I'm here to announce one of the largest advanced manufacturing investments in the history of this nation," said Biden.

The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It will go to seven regional clean hydrogen hubs, with Pennsylvania being in both the Appalachian hydrogen hub and the Mid-Atlantic hydrogen hub, which will get $750 million.

"The president came back to Pennsylvania today because he wants us to be the center of the clean energy universe," said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

"We embrace this challenge as an opportunity to transform our city, create thousands of local family-sustaining jobs, and work towards a clean energy future," added Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

Those family-sustaining jobs include construction and permanent positions. The Mid-Atlantic hub expects to create thousands of jobs.

"When I think climate energy, I think jobs. Good paying jobs, union jobs," said Biden.

The president's administration says hydrogen, along with other clean energy efforts, can reduce emissions in industries like steel production, transportation, and shopping.

Biden also believes it will set up Philadelphia as the future of clean energy.

"I've never been more optimistic about America's future," he said.

One group, however, is not supporting the president's announcement: The Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

It says the hydrogen hubs will stimulate dirty energy development and increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Still, the president insists that hydrogen hubs like the one that will include Philadelphia are the answer to creating clean energy.