9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Sierra Northern Railway Tour: West Sacramento Facility Tour of Hydrogen Locomotive

Experience the future of rail with a tour of Sierra Northern Railways SacPort facility and a demo of Sierra Northern Railway’s hydrogen fuel cell locomotive.

1:00 PM – 1:05 PM

Welcome & Opening Remarks: Katrina Fritz

Speakers:

• Katrina Fritz, President and Chief Executive Officer – California Hydrogen Business Council

1:05 pm – 1:15 pm

Welcome Remarks: Alberto Ayala

Speakers:

• Alberto Ayala, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer – Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD

1:15 pm – 1:30 pm

Keynote: Jose Perez

Speakers:

• José Pérez, Co-Founder, President & CEO – Hispanics In Energy

1:30 pm – 1:55 pm

Keynote: Angelina Galiteva

Speakers:

• Angelina Galiteva, CEO – ARCHES H2 Hub

1:55 pm – 2:10 pm

Keynote: Brandon “STIX” Salaam-Bailey

Speakers:

• Brandon “STIX” Salaam-Bailey, Founder – Thinkwatts Foundation

2:10 PM – 3:10 PM

Panel: Navigating the Hydrogen Landscape in a New Administration: Insights and Future Directions

With new leadership at both the state and federal levels, learn of insights into the evolving policy and regulatory landscape, highlighting challenges and key opportunities for California to lead in hydrogen innovation. Industry experts will discuss the latest developments in infrastructure needs, funding mechanisms, as well as policy and market barriers. This panel will:  

• Explore ways to work with lawmakers to mitigate adverse consequences of an uncertain policy environment and develop collaborative strategies to build a stable market for hydrogen.  

• Discuss differences between state, federal, and international incentives and regulations and suggest strategies for collaboration to maximize hydrogen adoption.   

• Review changes to federal policy and programs, including hydrogen hubs, and how they will impact the future of hydrogen energy in California and business stakeholders 

• Understand the potential of the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit to drive innovation and investment in hydrogen production

Speakers:

• David Alonso, Chief Commercial Officer – HyAxiom
• Tyson Eckerle, Senior Advisor for Clean Infrastructure and Mobility – Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
• Alice Kessler, Shareholder – Greenberg Traurig
• Frank Wolak, President & CEO – Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association

3:10 PM – 3:40 PM

Coffee & Networking Break

3:40 PM – 4:30 PM

Panel: Building a Hydrogen Economy that Generates Widespread Opportunity

This session will explore how policymakers create economic opportunities for businesses, communities, and the workforce from a robust hydrogen economy. Lawmakers and stakeholders alike will gain insights into strategies, policies, and partnerships to stimulate private investment, scale hydrogen production, encourage hydrogen end uses, and tackle key challenges. This panel will: 

• Hear from industry experts about how a thriving hydrogen economy can fuel job creation across multiple sectors, from manufacturing to research and infrastructure development, and how communities can benefit from hydrogen investments.   

• Policymakers will learn from hydrogen industry stakeholders about overcoming barriers to adoption in California. Experts will highlight solutions like integrating hydrogen into existing infrastructure, harnessing hydrogen for zero emission vehicle goals, and leveraging public-private collaboration to build a hydrogen economy that creates opportunities for all Californians.  

• Policymakers will learn how recent changes in government incentives, corporate climate targets, and environmental regulations may impact the development of hydrogen markets, and what they can do to mitigate adverse impacts to maintain the economic development and environmental benefits of hydrogen. 

Speakers:

• Erin Childs, Executive Director – Renewable Hydrogen Alliance
• Chris Hannan, President – State Building & Construction Trades Council of California
• Steven Meheen, Chief Executive & Chairman – Element Resources
• Jamie Randolph, Principal Hydrogen Program Manager, GHG Emission Strategies – Pacific Gas and Electric Company
• Michelle Yanez, CEO – My Workforce Solutions, LLC

4:30 PM – 4:50 PM

Keynote: Nick Barilo

Speakers:

• Nick Barilo, Hydrogen Safety Program Manager & Director – PNNL/Center for Hydrogen Safety

4:50 PM – 5:00 PM

Closing Remarks: Christine Casey

Speakers:

• Christine Casey, Deputy Secretary of Freight Policy – California State Transportation Agency

5:00 PM – 6:20 PM

Welcome Reception & Networking

7:50 AM – 8:45 AM

Breakfast

8:30 AM – 8:40 AM

Opening Remarks: Assemblymember Lori Wilson

Speakers:

• Lori Wilson, Assemblymember, 11th District – California State Assembly

8:40 am – 8:50 am

Keynote: Assemblymember David Alvarez

Speakers:

• David Alvarez, Assemblymember, 80th District – California State Assembly

8:50 am – 9:00 am

Day Two Welcome Remarks: Katrina Fritz

Speakers:

• Katrina Fritz, President and Chief Executive Officer – California Hydrogen Business Council

9:00 am – 9:10 am

CHBC Welcome: Tom Swenson

Speakers:

• Tom Swenson, Director, Global Regulatory Affairs – Cummins Inc

9:10 am – 9:30 am

Keynote: Barron Effenberger

Speakers:

• Barron Effenberger, Business Development Manager – Caltrol, Inc.

9:30 AM – 9:40 AM

Keynote: Senator McNerney

Speakers:

• Jerry McNerney, Senator – California State Senate

9:40 AM – 10:00 AM

Keynote: Heather Tomley

Speakers:

• Heather Tomley, Managing Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs – Port of Long Beach

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Coffee Break

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Panel: Hydrogen Pipeline Blending – Transitioning the Gas System

Integrating hydrogen into California’s existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure offers a promising pathway to accelerate the state’s clean energy transition. Policymakers will be provided key insights from hydrogen industry stakeholders on the technical, regulatory, and economic steps required to make hydrogen blending into existing pipelines a reality. This panel will:   

• Explore how well-designed regulations can drive infrastructure readiness, ensure safety, and attract investment.    

• Suggest steps policymakers should take to support necessary pipeline modifications and investments to expedite hydrogen blending.  

• Consider policy-driven solutions to advance technical solutions in blended pipelines. 

Speakers:

• Austin Hastings, Vice President of Gas Engineering – Pacific Gas & Electric Company
• Darek Imadi, Managing Consultant, Decarbonization Solutions – Guidehouse
• Tim McRae, Vice President for Public Affairs – California Hydrogen Business Council
• Blaine Waymire, Project Manager for Hydrogen Engineering and Strategy – SoCalGas

11:30 AM – 11:40 AM

Keynote: Wayne Nastri

Speakers:

• Wayne Nastri, Executive Officer – South Coast AQMD

11:40 am-11:50 am

Keynote: Amy Kitson

Speakers:

• Amy Kitson, Director of Hydrogen Engineering and Strategy – SoCalGas

11:50 AM – 12:50 PM

Lunch

12:50 PM – 12:55 PM

Welcome Back Remarks: Tom Swenson

Speakers:

• Tom Swenson, Director, Global Regulatory Affairs – Cummins Inc

1:00 pm – 1:10 pm

Keynote: Mike Hart

Speakers:

• Mike Hart, CEO – Sierra Railroad Company

1:10 pm – 2:10 pm

Panel: How Will California Maintain Air Quality with Hydrogen

We welcome the executive officers of three of the largest California air districts to give insights on how the districts are incorporating hydrogen into their criteria air pollutant mitigation strategies.  This panel will: 

• Describe how hydrogen can help California’s air districts meet their Air Quality Management Plan objectives, highlighting specific applications that support local air quality improvements. 

• Examine the importance of maintaining technology neutrality in climate policy, emphasizing the use of objective metrics such as well-to-wheel carbon intensity to assess progress toward emissions goals. 

• Discuss whether it is more effective to focus on hydrogen production methods (e.g., renewable electrolysis, steam methane reforming) or to prioritize measuring the overall carbon intensity of hydrogen across its lifecycle. 

• Relate the key challenges air districts face in implementing hydrogen strategies, including infrastructure limitations, funding, and regulatory complexities. 

• Understand what air district officers believe state agencies and the legislature need to understand about hydrogen’s role in achieving climate and air quality objectives. 

• Hear from a California Air Resources Board (CARB) representative on the state’s progress toward the 2022 Scoping Plan target of a 1,700-fold increase in hydrogen production by 2045, and what additional efforts are needed to meet that goal. 

Speakers:

• Alberto Ayala, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer – Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD
• Wayne Nastri, Executive Officer – South Coast AQMD
• Tanya Peacock, Managing Director – EcoEngineers
• Samir Sheikh, Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer – San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
• Sydney Vergis, Assistant Division Chief, Industrial Strategies Division – California Air Resources Board

2:10 pm – 2:20 pm

Keynote: Bill Zobel

Speakers:

• Bill Zobel, Senior Director, Hydrogen & Infrastructure – Pilot Company

2:20 pm – 3:20 pm

Panel: The Importance of Biomass to California’s Hydrogen Future

Abundant agricultural and forest biomass present California with exciting opportunities for hydrogen production through biomass gasification and pyrolysis. Policymakers will see how these innovative methods can transform agricultural waste into low carbon hydrogen while capturing emissions and providing critical markets for biowaste and helping to mitigate the state’s devastating wildfires. This panel will: 

• Explore how agricultural and forest waste can be used as a feedstock for renewable hydrogen, reducing emissions while supporting the agricultural sector. 

• Discuss the dual benefits of reducing agricultural waste and fostering rural economic development through hydrogen production. 

• Examine the steps policy makers can take to encourage the infrastructure investments required to support hydrogen production from biomass. 

Speakers:

• Elizabeth Betancourt, Natural and Working Lands Policy Advisor – California Department of Conservation
• Mike Hart, CEO – Sierra Railroad Company
• Jeremy Hayward, President – Redding Rancheria Economic Development Corp (RREDCO)
• Julia Levin, Executive Director – Bioenergy Association of California
• Sam Wade, Vice President of Public Policy – Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas

3:20 pm – 3:50 pm

Dessert & Coffee Break

3:50 PM – 4:50 PM

Panel: Hydrogen Offtake in California

California’s path to a thriving hydrogen economy relies on securing robust and expanding consumption. Investors will not support new hydrogen production projects without demand certainty. Policymakers will be guided through the vital role they play in facilitating and incentivizing hydrogen demand. Hydrogen industry stakeholders will provide actionable insights on how state policies can support offtake agreements, encourage private-sector participation, and advance California’s decarbonization and economic development goals. This panel will:  

• Unpack the significance of hydrogen offtake agreements in de-risking investments, ensuring project bankability, and fostering long-term growth for California’s hydrogen ecosystem.  

• Provide perspectives from hydrogen end users on the policy changes needed to foster successful offtake agreements and accelerate hydrogen adoption.  

• Convey practical steps for aligning hydrogen offtake agreements with California’s broader climate and economic objectives, increasing the likelihood that the state remains a hub for clean energy innovation. 

Speakers:

• Jaimie Levin, Director of West Coast Operations – Center for Transportation and the Environment
• Eugene A. Litvinov, Director, Hydrogen & Commercial Vehicles – Hyundai Motor North America
• Alexus Merino, Director – First Public H2
• Steven Rodriguez, Program Director, Capital Projects – Parsons Corporation
• Adam Weber, Senior Scientist and Leader of the Energy-Conversion – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

4:50 pm – 5:10 pm

Closing Remarks: Katrina Fritz

Speakers:

• Katrina Fritz, President and Chief Executive Officer – California Hydrogen Business Council