(a) The commission shall establish and administer the Hydrogen Program pursuant to this article to provide financial incentives to eligible in-state hydrogen projects for the demonstration or scale-up of the production, processing, delivery, storage, or end use of hydrogen consistent with Section 25664.1.

(b) Financial incentives provided pursuant to this article may be used as matching funds by selected entities that have received a grant pursuant to Section 16161 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(c) The commission may establish project eligibility and other guidelines for purposes of this article.

(d) The commission shall include in the guidelines or project requirements that the financial incentives received pursuant to this article do not supplant or result in duplicative offset credits, renewable energy credits, or other forms of compliance credits.

(e) The commission shall only provide financial incentives to eligible projects that help reduce sector-wide emissions, as determined by the commission.

(f) The commission shall prioritize eligible projects that benefit geographically diverse areas of the state.

(g) The commission shall prioritize eligible projects that maximize air quality, equity, health, and workforce benefits.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 251, Sec. 12. (AB 209) Effective September 6, 2022.)