The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub has lost a major source of funding after the Trump administration canceled a $1 billion federal investment intended to advance clean hydrogen technology and production.
In total, 11 energy and manufacturing projects across Washington are affected by the move. Among the recipients that were set to benefit from the funding were Washington State University and PACCAR, the commercial truck manufacturer.
State leaders swiftly condemned the decision, accusing the administration of political retaliation. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said he is working with the Attorney General’s Office to explore legal action.
Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) warned of local economic fallout:
“President Trump’s campaign of political retribution continues, and hardworking Washingtonians are now part of the collateral damage. This politically motivated claw back of funds will result in significant job losses and increased utility bills in our state.”
She added:
“The President of the United States is playing politics by targeting states that did not vote for him. I will fight this decision to save Washington jobs and avoid another hike on our energy bills.”
The U.S. Department of Energy defended the cuts, saying the projects failed to demonstrate economic viability, lacked a sufficient return on investment, and “did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs.”
The Trump administration is canceling more than $1.1 billion in grants for energy projects across Washington state, including the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub. That hub will create a clean hydrogen economy across our region.
It is outrageous that this administration is using…
— Governor Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson) October 2, 2025
The cancellation is part of a broader rollback that terminated 321 federal awards across 223 projects, announced just days after the federal government shutdown. Impacted states include Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Hawaii—all Democratic strongholds on the West Coast.