The Toyota sedan made its way around the grounds of Air Products headquarters Tuesday morning. If you only heard it, you might’ve thought it was a golf cart.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a passenger in the hydrogen cell-powered car, was delighted by the prospects of the Upper Macungie Township company producing the energy to make these cars go.
The senator came to the Lehigh Valley to promote the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers funding, programs and incentives to accelerate clean energy development. Air Products has invested billions into hydrogen production in recent years.
Casey said these sorts of investments will help cut dependence on importing oil and other energy products from countries that aren’t too friendly to the U.S.
“We’re going to make sure that we control our energy,” Casey said, “and we cannot do that without the kind of advancements that Air Products has made. I’m grateful to be back here and to be able to celebrate with what’s happening here and the jobs that you maintain here in the Lehigh Valley. I think it bodes well, not just for future Air Products, but the future of this region and the manufacturing sector because at the core of all of this, when we talk about the Inflation Reduction Act, is we’re doing this by investing in American manufacturing and American jobs in the component parts to so many projects and providing the tax credits to incentivize all of that.”
Before he spoke and took the test drive, Casey met Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi and other company executives.
“We’re very focused and very proud to be a leading company doing something on sustainability,” Ghasemi said.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, gives U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., a test drive in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, gives U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., a test drive in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, gives U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., a test drive in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, gives U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., a test drive in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, explains the process to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, explains the process to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, explains the process to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, explains the process to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, explains the process to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Bilel Hamzaoui, Air Products’ global manager of hydrogen energy systems, explains the process to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi speaks Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., toured Air Products, where he highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks with Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi on Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, at Air Products headquarters in Upper Macungie Township. Casey highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act will invest in domestic clean energy manufacturing, promote sustainability and create jobs. Air Products demonstrated a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and how its sustainability initiatives are building a more energy-efficient future while creating opportunities for growth.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
A hydrogen future?
According to a study by Information Trends, there were more than 56,000 hydrogen fuel cell cars on the road worldwide by the end of 2022, with more than half sold in the last two years.
The U.S. lags behind other countries, most notably South Korea, because of a lack of hydrogen fueling stations, the study says, though it has been picking up in places such as California.
Another study, by Market Research Future, expects the U.S. hydrogen fuel cell market to increase by more then 68% to $46.8 billion by 2030.
Casey said tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act will help the U.S. catch up as it fights climate change.
“We as Americans are going to decide how our future will unfold,” Casey said. “The only way we can do that is by running directly at the threat posed by climate change. You cannot do that without the Inflation Reduction Act. We’re already seeing record investment. In the first five, six, seven, eight months we saw record investment. When we get to August, when we hit the one-year mark, we’ll see even more.”
Casey said companies investing in clean energy could receive tax credits up to 50%. Besides the initial 30% tax credit, companies that invest in places such as former coal mining areas could receive an additional 10% break, then get another 10% by sourcing core components domestically.
“Over time, you’re also going to see the benefit, the direct benefit to consumers,” he said.
The senator said he was concerned about the future of the act. In the recent debt ceiling battle, House Republicans proposed cutting renewable energy tax credits, including eliminating the one for hydrogen.
“I’m very concerned about what House Republicans are doing,” he said. “They’re trying to wipe it out, and the irony here is that the states that they represent potentially might benefit more than the states represented by Democrats who voted for the bill.”
