Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative announces monumental step forward for reindustrialization project, job growth in the Ohio Valley
The Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI) Thursday announced that Trillium H2 Power, LLC has purchased the initial 80 acres of land for a major 250-acre reindustrialization project that aims to reinvigorate manufacturing and the economy in the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachia.
The purchase marks the most significant step forward in the effort led by SODI and Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service PORTSfuture Program to establish a functioning public-private partnership aligned with organized labor – to plan for and execute redeveloping the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) facility near Piketon.
At the site, Trillium H2 Power, LLC (tH2) is preparing to build its $1.5 billion h2Trillium Energy and Manufacturing (h2TEAM) complex, which will transform land from the former PORTS facility into an integrated clean decarbonized hydrogen power generation and closed loop manufacturing facility producing clean ammonia and clean silicon.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2025. For the total project build out over time, during construction phases, h2TEAM expects to create an estimated 2,000 construction jobs and generate over $346 million in local economic impact. In the long term, the project is expected to create an estimated 300 operations and maintenance jobs and over $198 million annually to the regional economy.
“Our initial land purchase will allow us to kickstart construction on a project that will help drive economic growth and stability in this region. It is a win-win for industry and the surrounding communities,” said Wiley Rhodes, CEO of Trillium H2 Power. “We are grateful to the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative and Ohio University for working hand-in-hand with Trillium H2 Power to help advance our project.”
The complex will be built on clean property formerly owned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and deeded to SODI, the DOE-designated community reuse organization.
“SODI and Ohio University have been working towards this moment and all it means for the future development of the site,” said Steve Shepherd, Executive Director of SODI. “Trillium H2 Power’s plans for the site represent a unique and generational opportunity that are aligned with SODI’s goal to reinvigorate our community that has been left behind as energy production and manufacturing have shifted over the last several decades.”
Trillium H2 Power has already established teaming agreements with several technical partners for the site development, including Babcock & Wilcox (foundational technology partner), CDM Smith (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner), J.W. Didado Electric (electrical grid services partner), Advanced Resources International (CO2 sequestration), Shell Catalysts & Technologies (hydrogen reformer), Linde (air separation unit and ammonia production) and Metix (silicon production.)
Trillium H2 Power was introduced to the project in 2020, and the h2TEAM project builds on the work by OU and SODI to establish a transformational economic development strategy for the site. The h2TEAM complex will serve as the anchor development project to launch a larger reindustrialization vision at the PORTS facility.
In addition to Trillium H2 Power and its technical partners, SODI and OU, key entities involved in this effort include organized labor leaders in Ohio, local, state and national elected officials, economic development entities, and various other organizations in support of the reindustrialization effort. Essential to this project have been the land transfer assistance efforts of the DOE Office of Environmental Management.
“Workers deserve to be at the heart of any large-scale project,” said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga. “The strong relationships forged between organized labor, industry and community leaders as this major project continues to evolve – and our shared goals for the site – will help ensure the PORTS reindustrialization creates good-paying union jobs and is transformative for both the region and its working families.”
“OU, SODI and DOE’s work and coordination shows what can be accomplished when academia, regional stakeholders, organized labor, and industry come together,” said Stephanie Howe, Director of Energy Programs at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. “Trillium H2 Power’s land purchase is an enormous and concrete step toward making our job-creating, community-sustaining reindustrialization vision a reality.”
The Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI) is a nonprofit, community improvement corporation and serves as the DOE-designated community reuse organization for the PORTS facility. SODI’s mission is to improve the quality of life for citizens of Jackson, Pike, Ross and Scioto Counties through economic diversification, development of underutilized land and facilities on the PORTS facility site, and continued support of local industry. SODI is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of former and present local elected officials and members of the community with members representing business, government and labor leaders from the four-county region.