-- In an historic moment for hydrogen energy, the Mayors of Namie, Japan, 
and Lancaster, California, pursue steps to develop a "Smart Sister Cities" 
relationship committed to hydrogen production, storage, delivery, and end use 
at city facilities and in their communities.

Today, the two Mayors signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in their 
respective cities, marking their efforts toward the world's first bilateral 
agreement by municipalities to use hydrogen as their green energy strategy. The 
online event, which took place simultaneously in Japan and the United States, 
was attended by global environmental dignitaries including Alex Padilla, U.S. 
Senator for California, Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California, 
and Yukari Hino, Director of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy Office, Agency for 
Natural Resources and Energy of Japan. The concept of a hydrogen-centered Smart 
Sister City relationship was first proposed at a luncheon with Consul General 
of Japan in Los Angeles, Akira Muto, and the Mayor of Lancaster, Rex Parris, in 
July of 2020.

Senator Padilla congratulated the two cities for making a unique collaboration 
to use hydrogen in addition to pairing together to share knowledge, contacts, 
best practices, and economic development strategies surrounding hydrogen 
uptake. "They are leading the fight to reduce carbon emissions with innovative 
technologies and international collaborations," he said, noting that California 
had long been a leader in solving the climate crisis and advancing climate 
justice. "As a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, 
I am committed to supporting bold action to transition to sustainable energy 
sources."

Namie Town, in Fukushima prefecture, Japan, has been rebuilding after the 
Daiichi nuclear tragedy of March 11, 2011, completing construction of the 
largest solar-energy-powered hydrogen production unit in the world (the 
Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field known as "FH2R") in 2020. "FH2R is a 
symbol of the recovery of Fukushima, with Namie as the center of innovation," 
said Masami Miyashita, Director of Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and 
Industry (METI).

Kazuhiro Yoshida, Mayor of Namie, said that hydrogen fit in with "recovery and 
excellence" as the central themes of the Tokyo Olympics. "We are thrilled that 
Namie hydrogen is being used to fuel the Olympic torch, flame, and official 
fuel cell vehicle," Yoshida said. "With the cooperation of all parties 
concerned, we strive for Namie to become a town that pioneers a hydrogen-based 
society using locally produced carbon-free hydrogen." Yoshida explained that 
the town's efforts included the introduction of fuel cell vehicles as their 
official vehicles and the implementation of a demonstration study to establish 
a hydrogen supply chain.

Lancaster, California, a city 70 miles north of Los Angeles, is also a hub of 
clean energy innovation. Since 2009, the City of Lancaster has attracted over 
$2 billion in solar investments, developed their own green energy municipal 
utility, and in 2019 became the first Net-Zero city in the United States. "We 
now host several hydrogen company investments, and we envision an even brighter 
future centered around hydrogen," said Lancaster Mayor Parris.

The Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger, weighed in calling the 
partnership an historic opportunity for the City of Lancaster and the County of 
Los Angeles to take part in providing a critical resource. "It is my hope that 
hydrogen made in Lancaster will help fuel the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, 
much like Namie-made hydrogen is being used during the upcoming Tokyo 
Olympics," Barger said.

Consul General Muto highlighted the high value of the effort in creating a 
future Hydrogen Society. "Japan and the United States are natural allies in 
many fields," Muto said. "Beginning with the collaboration between these two 
far-thinking cities, where both hydrogen production and end-use consumption 
will be fully explored, I expect this exciting relationship will help show the 
way towards building a hydrogen energy value-chain and a Hydrogen Society on 
both sides of the Pacific Ocean."

Namie and Lancaster have been refining their hydrogen roadmaps and learning as 
much as they can by sharing their experiences. City officials have monthly 
meetings online. "They are learning each other's histories, cultures, and how 
to integrate hydrogen into their daily lives. We will also promote the dialogue 
with Japanese companies," said Norihiko Saeki, Executive Director of the Japan 
External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Los Angeles.

Lex Heslin, Senior Project Developer of Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), a 
multinational waste and energy company that is advising the City of Lancaster 
on its 10-year hydrogen master plan, helped Lancaster develop the bilateral 
program. "Concrete steps that can be replicated elsewhere were delineated to 
implement a hydrogen strategy and encourage investment in hydrogen or 'H2' 
projects and infrastructure," said Heslin. These include:

    - assisting with city-owned land, 
    - supporting permitting, 
    - using municipal procurement as a tool, 
    - providing incentives, 
    - assisting with grant proposals, 
    - bringing together federal agencies, academia, private companies, non
      profits, and community groups, and 
    - establishing roles within the municipality to oversee H2 projects and
      achieve goals.

According to Eiji Ohira, head of fuel cell and hydrogen technology at Japan's 
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the two 
cities will gain more from new partnerships if global trends are an indicator. 
"Hydrogen is the key to achieving carbon neutrality, especially when maximizing 
the potential of renewable energies. It is necessary to build a local energy 
model based on utilizing local resources, and it is effective to mutually 
utilize the knowledge and experience of the two cities," said Ohira.

CA Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis summed up the historic agreement by 
acknowledging that Japan and California, as pioneers in hydrogen, made ideal 
collaborators. "Together Japan and California are leading the way to a clean 
energy future. Our climate crisis is a global crisis and partnerships at all 
levels of government, including at the city level, are essential to tackling 
climate change," she said. "California is home to the largest number of 
hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen fueling stations in the United States. As we 
decarbonize our economies, hydrogen will be an important fuel powering our 
transportation and industrial needs."

Mayor Parris suggested that going forward the Smart Sister Cities program could 
become the framework for municipalities of all sizes to adopt a hydrogen 
roadmap. "Municipalities have tremendous power to influence decisions and 
improve the environment. We hope they will convert to this incredibly smart 
fuel that promises a new opportunity for cities everywhere," Parris said, 
adding that he expected more cities would join the program in the near future.

SOURCE  City of Lancaster, California 

CONTACT: 661-723-6000, press@cityoflancasterca.org