Representative Orgeron’s Clean Hydrogen Task Force unanimously endorsed a revised final report on Thursday, directing staff to incorporate technical edits and public comments and file a revised draft by Wednesday, Nov. 26.

The action follows an 18‑month review process of presentations and public comment that the task force said informed a roughly 30–40 page report outlining findings and recommendations for developing a clean hydrogen economy in Louisiana. "There is a strong industrial base. Louisiana is very well positioned, especially alongside Texas to, to be sort of a prime mover in clean hydrogen," said Matthew Rionis, staff to the task force with the Department of Conservation and Energy, as he summarized the executive summary and the report’s findings.

The report recommends creating a state clean hydrogen coordinating committee (likely placed within the Natural Resources Commission), pursuing federal engagement on tax-credit programs identified in the text as "45 Q and 45 V," evaluating demand‑side incentives, designating hydrogen development zones or hubs, strengthening transportation and storage infrastructure, and funding streamlined permitting and workforce training. Rionis noted the document had been opened for public comment three times and that the final draft had been circulated roughly two weeks before the meeting.

Industry and stakeholder speakers endorsed the report’s direction. Eugene Litvinov, director for hydrogen and energy at Hyundai Motor North America, said Louisiana "has all the right ingredients to move this forward" and urged the task force to prioritize economically sustainable pilot projects: "It's to prioritize some projects, to look at how you can fund some of those projects through the Louisiana Growth Fund." The task force recorded appreciation for the breadth of stakeholder input and for presentations on topics ranging from small modular reactors to workforce training at River Parishes Community College.

Environmental and civic stakeholders also praised the transparent process. "I just really appreciate the level of expertise that was brought together for this," said a National Wildlife Federation representative, who thanked staff for incorporating environmental comments.

On procedure, the motion to adopt the report was briefly paused to hear an additional public commenter. Task member Miss Darnett then moved a substitute motion to endorse a revised final report with the instruction that staff incorporate outstanding technical edits and submit the revision by Nov. 26 (ahead of a stated Dec. 1 deadline). The substitute motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all recorded members voting yes. The roll-call list recorded members and proxies, including: Chairman O'Shaughnessyron (chair), Mister Arnett, Mister Bridal, Miss Carter, Mister Cormier, Miss DeWall, Mister Fry, Miss Gillespie, Mister Abare, Senator Henskins, Mister McMillan, Miss Phillips, Mister Sutcliffe, Tyler Gray (for Dr. Upton), Miss Saint Pay (for Miss Vasquez), and Miss Sarang (for Dr. Zappy). The vote tally was recorded as unanimous.

The report calls for state investment options (noted as possible appropriations through the Louisiana Growth Fund) to support pilot projects and demonstrations, emphasized workforce development, and recommended regulatory alignment — including how the state defines and measures "clean hydrogen" and life‑cycle analysis parameters. Task staff acknowledged that federal policy uncertainty remains and that developing definitions and reporting approaches will require continued stakeholder engagement.

Representative Orgeron closed the meeting by listing highlights from the task force’s work and noting that staff would seek to add related items to the Natural Resources Commission agenda in the coming weeks to move recommendations into implementation. The task force adjourned following the vote.

Next steps: staff will prepare the revised final report (due Nov. 26) incorporating technical notes and comments; the Natural Resources Commission may take up related agenda items in subsequent meetings to advance the recommendations into formal state action.