Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

WHEELING — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says a hydrogen hub planned for the Northern Panhandle is still in the works, even though a market for hydrogen isn’t established yet.

The Appalachian-based ARCH2 hub was among seven announced in October 2024 during the Biden Administration. The local project will use Marcellus/Utica shale natural gas as the feedstock to produce “blue” hydrogen, which is hydrogen made from natural gas where carbon dioxide from the process is captured and either used or stored underground.

Capito, R-W.Va., was asked about progress toward achieving the hydrogen hub during a teleconference with West Virginia reporters on Thursday.

“I’ve been working hard to see that this will come to full fruition,” she said. “Changing over the administration last year put a stall on some of the hydrogen hubs.”

She noted getting funding for the project extended is important so tax advantages can be realized by investors.

“I think the problem we are seeing is that the market for hydrogen has not developed as quickly as we would want,” Capito continued. “We can’t build a hub until we have someone to sell the hydrogen to, and that’s where we really need the big push before we can see some of the retooling of manufacturing sites and hydrogen-producing sites.

“It’s already occurring, but it’s not occurring fast enough. As we move forward and our energy demands go up more than they already have, I expect the demand for our hydrogen hub will then branch out into the opportunities we know a full operating hydrogen hub can offer.”

Capito also discussed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s decision this week to reverse a series of major layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Approximately 200 employees had been laid off at the NIOSH facility in Morgantown last April.

Capito previously arranged a call between Kennedy and United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts to discuss the importance of workplace safety and NIOSH’s work. She noted the importance of NIOSH extends beyond the coal industry to firefighting and other industries who depend upon the research and development that happens there.

Some of the NIOSH employees were called back last summer, but Capito explained the full contingent was needed at the Morgantown plant.

“They didn’t give up in Morgantown,” she said. “They kept their cool and kept making sure people were aware of the great work NIOSH does. It was good news all around.

“I’m sure the phone call with Cecil Roberts had an impact, as well. He has remarked on that.”

Also during the call on Thursday, Capito also was asked what she might say to Becky Pepper-Jackson — the transgender girl from West Virginia presently at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case regarding transgender girls competing in high school female sports.

Capito said the case is really about protecting Title IX law, which has prohibited gender-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal funding since 1972.

“It was a remarkable decision, and you can see it growing as time has gone on,” she explained. “But what you are also seeing is that in certain sports — swimming, track and other sports — when a transgender athlete enters a certain environment against women and girls they have a distinct advantage. We’re just differently built biologically to begin with.

“I would say that there are opportunities for other sports activities where boys and girls play together, and that is always an option. But I do think we (supporters) are protecting the huge amount of girls who take advantage of sports, and we want to keep pushing that as an avenue for development for all of our girls. It’s an important issue, and it just makes common sense to me.”