HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0269.001 2022-2024 JMty or k Phone: (808)961-8828
HEATHER L. KIMBALL 40•�w .+•.
COUNCIL CHAIR K , Fax: (808)961-8912
.� ,# Email:Heather.Kiniballr{}rhauaiicgyn .SOV
Council District 1 (North Hilo,
Hdmakua, and portion of Waimea) •`
oF'Nr'�
a
A AI`I COUNTY U CIL
25 Aupuni Street, Ste. 1402,
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
r
4.j
DATE: May 2, 2023
TO: Members of the Hawaii County Council
FROM: Heather Kimball, Council Chair
Council District 1
SUBJECT: Supporting Documentation Relating to Reso. No. 163
Attached please find the following for purposes of discussion in relation to Resolution No. 163:
• Memorandum of Understanding on the Formation of the Pacific Hydrogen Alliance
Thank you.
HK:dbk
Att.
Comm. N
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ref,-To.
Ref. nate MAY 3 2025
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
ON THE FORMATION OF
THE PACIFIC HYDROGEN ALLIANCE
THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (this "MOU") is entered into this_day of May,
2023, by and between the CITY OF LANCASTER, a California municipal corporation and charter
city("Lancaster"), NAMIE TOWN, in Fukushima Prefecture,Japan ("Namie" or"Namie-machi"),
and the COUNTY OF HAWAI'1, a Hawaii municipal corporation ("Hawai'i County"). Lancaster,
Namie and Hawaii County are sometimes referred to herein individually as a "Party" and
collectively as the "Parties." The Parties desire to work together to form the PACIFIC
HYDROGEN ALLIANCE ("PHA").
RECITALS
A. The City of Lancaster is located in Los Angeles County, California and has a current
population of approximately 160,000. After achieving its goal of becoming a net-zero city with
solar energy and other clean energy technologies and strategies, Lancaster is working towards
becoming a hydrogen-based city. In 2021, Lancaster became "Smart Sister Cities" with Namie
Town, with the assistance of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).The program
facilitates the sharing of best practices, and technology and company information related to the
advancement of hydrogen, while enabling cultural and educational enrichment activities.
B. Namie Town is located in Fukushima Prefecture,Japan and has a current population of
approximately 2,000. Namie is a symbol of rebirth in Fukushima Prefecture. It is rebuilding after
the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster into a hydrogen society with the construction of the
Fukushima Hydrogen Research Field ("FH2R") and other innovative hydrogen projects.
i
C. Hawaii County is located in the State of Hawaii and has a current population of
approximately 200,000.The county seat is Hilo. Hawai'i County has the largest land area of any
island in the Hawaiian Islands. In order to achieve lower electricity prices, greater grid stability
and less dependence on fossil fuels, Hawaii County is actively pursuing development of a
diverse portfolio of renewable resources including solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass,
many of which will be used to generate local green hydrogen.
D. The United States Department of Energy("DOE"), in collaboration with the Clean Energy
Ministerial ("CEM"), developed a program called H2 Twin Cities that is a "global initiative that
connects cities and communities around the world to deploy clean hydrogen solutions."The
program provides support for two or more cities to share ideas, mentor and learn from each
other, all while building a community based on hydrogen best practices.
1
I
3
t
i
4
it
I
E. In November of 2022, Lancaster, Namie and Hawai'i County received the H2 Twin Cities
award from the DOE/CEM.The DOE announced the award at COP 27 in Egypt.
The Parties are willing and desire to cooperate and work together in an effort to implement
hydrogen project deployment and advance towards a hydrogen society.
NOW,THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual understandings set forth herein,the
Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Formation of the "Pacific Hydrogen Alliance." Lancaster, Namie and Hawaii County will
form the Pacific Hydrogen Alliance ("PHA")to coordinate their activities as H2 Twin City
awardees. In general terms, Lancaster and Namie will serve as mentors to Hawaii
County on the development and deployment of hydrogen energy solutions at the
municipal level.This alliance will serve as a catalyst to share best practices and
strategies on how to collectively accelerate progress in hydrogen and fuel cells. The
Parties have in common the early adoption of hydrogen demonstration projects, a
desire for a deep transition to hydrogen, and visionary leadership that recognizes
hydrogen for its environmental and economic benefits.
2. Mission the Pacific Hydrogen Alliance. Further to their application to the DOE/CEM H2
Twin Cities program,the Parties agreed on a mission to strengthen hydrogen
deployment while building a community based on hydrogen best practices and a
commitment to ideas that foster environmental justice, social equity and clean energy
jobs, particularly at the city and municipal level.The Parties have prioritized three key
areas of focus—personal impact on citizens, hydrogen infrastructure and environmental
benefits.
3. Organization of the Pacific Hydrogen Alliance. It is likely that the PHA will be organized
as a California nonprofit organization (NPO). The City of Lancaster, as the primary
applicant of the DOE/CEM H2 Twin Cities program will explore this approach and make
recommendations to be considered and mutually agreed by the Parties.
4. Communication.The Parties may communicate to the address of each Party as set forth
below, or at any other address as that Party may later designate by notice.
To Lancaster: City of Lancaster, 44933 Fern Avenue, Lancaster, CA 93534,Attention:
Jason Caudle, Email:jcaudle@cityoflancasterca.org
To Namie: Namie Town, 7-2 Rokutanda, Kiyohashi, Oaza, Namie-machi, Fukushima,
Japan 979-1592, Attention: Naoki Kobayashi, Email: kobayashin@town.namie.lg.jp
To Hawai'i County: Department of Research and Development, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo,
HI 96720, Attention: Douglass Adams, Email: Douglass.Adams@hawaiicounty.gov
2
3
Such addresses may be changed by Notice to the other Party(ies) given in the same
manner as provided above.
5. Non-Binding Effect.The Parties shall not have any legal obligation under or by virtue of
this MOU, including any obligation to enter into any definitive agreement or other
contract,to provide any services,to disclose any information,to make any investment
or pay any consideration or compensation, whether or not expressly described herein
this MOU.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the Parties have caused this MOU to be executed by their duly
authorized representative as of the date first written above.
s
CITY:
THE CITY OF LANCASTER, in the State of California, U.S.A.
By:
Mr. R. Rex Parris
Its: Mayor
i
i
I
NAMIE TOWN, in Fukushima Prefecture,Japan
i
i
By:
I
Mr. Eiko Yoshida
Its: Mayor
I
i
I
THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, in the State of Hawai'i, U.S.A. 3
3
By:
Approved As To Form And Legality:
Mr. Mitchell D. Roth
Elizabeth A.Strance
Its: Mayor Corporation Counsel
3
I
s