Consultant Steve Huntoon criticizes the DOE's "hydrogen hubs," arguing they have numerous problems and will not actually help fight global warming.

California became the first state in the U.S. to officially launch a hydrogen hub, with the announcement of a funding agreement with the Department of Energy.

The California agency is buying six hydrogen-powered passenger trains, building on an earlier order of four of the zero-emission vehicles from Stadler Rail.

DOE is focused on reshaping the U.S. energy landscape, but officials may have only another year to build the momentum needed to make any potential Republican rollbacks unpopular and unlikely.

If selected, the H2Hubs will benefit from up to $7 billion in federal funding that recipients will match with more than $40 billion in additional funding.