Council votes to join First Public Hydrogen JPA, authorizes city manager to execute non-substantive counterparts

Shafter City Council voted Dec. 2 to join the First Public Hydrogen Joint Powers Authority (JPA), approving Resolution 3051 and adding the city to a regional group that aims to coordinate hydrogen production, fueling infrastructure and related economic development.

Kamal Siad, Shafter’s economic development director, presented the recommendation and said joining the JPA would give the city "a seat at the table" to evaluate opportunities without committing Shafter to any specific project or financial obligation. Jason (CEO of First Public Hydrogen) described the JPA model in which municipalities pool demand, attract producers and reduce costs for hydrogen used in mobility and industrial applications.

Council members asked about the prospects for local production, jobs and technologies. Jason said talks with potential developers are preliminary, that the city previously amended zoning to allow hydrogen production in some areas, and that production methods range from green electrolysis powered by solar (panels and electrolysis equipment with multi‑decade lifetimes) to steam methane reforming and biomass conversion. He emphasized the JPA is intended to broker supply, organize offtakers and reduce developers’ market risk; specific projects would come back to council for approval.

The council approved the resolution on motions by Council Member Alvarado, seconded by Council Member Espinosa. The adopted resolution includes a modification to Section 3 authorizing the city manager or the manager’s designate to execute non‑substantive counterpart agreements necessary to join the JPA.

Council members noted potential economic development benefits, including possible property and sales tax revenue and job creation, but no project-specific approvals or financial commitments were made at the meeting.