On August 18, 2026, the San Bernardino International Airport Authority – SBIAA and Total Hydrogen Development disclosed plans to establish a clean hydrogen production facility at San Bernardino International Airport. The project will generate low-cost, locally produced hydrogen for Southern California, enabling cleaner transport and an increasingly durable regional energy mix.
The clean hydrogen production facility is being built to provide hydrogen at a cost far below what fleets and transit agencies are paying today, making clean hydrogen a viable alternative when it comes to the Inland Empire and the broader California market. The initial production is aimed at 1.5 to 2 tonnes of clean hydrogen per day, with plans to scale to 10 tonnes per day.
Several clean production paths are under consideration
THD and the airport are assessing multiple proven production pathways, with the ultimate option to be determined by available clean-energy grants and permitting. Options being considered include –
- On-site solar-powered electrolysis for green hydrogen generation
- Reforming of steam methane by natural gas
- Advanced reforming technologies like ethanol-to-hydrogen that have garnered strong interest from regional air quality and clean energy agencies
This flexibility guarantees that the cleanest and most cost-effective technology can be adopted as the project proceeds.
Partnership structure and regional effect
SBIAA will offer the airport site and long-term infrastructure support, while Total Hydrogen Development is going to be the project developer, financing, and advancing the facility. The project will also generate skilled local jobs and increase the profile of San Bernardino as a clean-energy hub for bringing in related industries like zero-emission fleets and hydrogen-powered aviation, as well as fuel-cell logistics, the company said.
As per Greg Heller, Project Lead, Total Hydrogen Development, “This project is about producing clean, affordable hydrogen right here at San Bernardino and delivering it to the fleets and businesses that need it most. “We are proud to work with the San Bernardino International Airport Authority to bring low-cost hydrogen directly to the California market.”
According to the President of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority, Mayor Penny Lilburn, “Our airport is proud to create a partnership and envision a project that advances clean energy, supports local jobs, and positions our region as a leader in sustainable energy.”
Timeline and Future Actions
The project team is working with local fleet operators and transit agencies, as well as business and industrial users, which may profit from locally produced, cost-effective, low-carbon hydrogen. The project is set to reach full operational status in 2027.