Sen. Padilla Questions Trump Nominee on Funding for National Monuments and Hydrogen Hubs

National Monuments and Public Lands

• 🏛️ Senator Padilla highlighted the broad bipartisan, local, and tribal support for the Chumash and Tola National Monuments in California.
• ⚠️ He expressed surprise at a rescinded White House fact sheet that suggested the termination of these monuments, questioning the President's legal authority under the Antiquities Act.
• 🤝 Padilla emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultation, including Congressional delegations, state energy agencies, local officials, and tribal leaders, in the Department's review of public lands.
• ✅ The nominee, James Danly, acknowledged the importance of local involvement and good-faith consultation in managing public lands.

Hydrogen Hub Funding Concerns

• ⚡ California's ARCHES Hydrogen Hub, a bipartisan initiative, is facing potential funding cuts from the Department of Energy.
• 📉 Padilla questioned Danly on whether he would commit to ensuring that funding for the ARCHES hub and other hydrogen hubs is not arbitrarily taken away if confirmed.
• 🤝 Danly expressed willingness to work with members of the committee on DOE projects and meet with ARCHES staff before any final decisions on cuts, though he noted it was premature to fill calendars.
• 🗣️ Padilla stressed the critical nature of the ARCHES hub not only for California but also for the national economy.