Florida and South Korean officials signed a pact to create a hydrogen research hub, set to break ground next month in Polk County.

Several state consortiums met the April 7 deadline to be among the nation’s first hydrogen hubs as the U.S. Department of Energy begins to evaluate applications for funding.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports want to be part of a statewide clean hydrogen hub, through which they would get funding to test usage of the fuel to power trucking and terminal equipment.

The Department of Energy advised proposed consortiums backed by states and others competing for a share of $7 billion in federal funds for their regional hydrogen hubs to get their permits, cost projections and community outreach plans in order.

Nikola Corp. is launching updated branding for its hydrogen production, distribution and sales efforts, sharpening its focus on a segment integral to a company footprint that also includes production of fuel cell electric trucks and development of electric vehicle technology.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared that a newly announced $4 billion green hydrogen production facility for mobility and other industrial markets will help the state retain its national leadership role in energy.

Two new hydrogen hubs have been formed with a Southwest collaborative among Arizona, Nevada and the Navajo Nation as well as a six-state Southeast group featuring lead utilities.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has established a broad statewide alliance to apply for a stake of $7 billion in federal grants earmarked for national hydrogen hubs rather than forming regional partnerships with other governors.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has formed a regional hydrogen hub with the governors of Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin as states continue to jockey in the race for federal funds and national eminence.

Members of the International Council on Mining and Metals are planning a joint effort to test hydrogen and other zero-emission technologies in a bid to shift away from diesel-fueled vehicles.