A regional rail authority has taken a big step toward bringing self-produced, green hydrogen-powered rail to the northern San Joaquin Valley.

According to railway-news.com, the Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority has agreed to buy 200 acres of land in Tracy for a green hydrogen production facility as part of the Valley Link Rail project.

The project’s first phase is 26 miles and links the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station in Alameda County and the Mountain House station in San Joaquin County. When completed, it will transport tens of thousands of north Valley residents to their Bay Area jobs.

Project Supports Environment, Economy

“Valley Link’s self-produced, green hydrogen will reduce the cost of the overall project operations for the public and offset state and federal transit subsidies,” said Veronica Vargas, board chair of the regional rail authority. “The project’s vision also supports opportunities to create and sustain new living wage jobs in both the hydrogen fuel production and related renewable energy industries. This is good for both the economy and the environment.”

Construction on the line’s first link is expected to start in 2025.

“I thank the city of Tracy for their strong financial commitment from the San Joaquin side of the project. The dedication of this 200- acre property to Valley Link is a critical piece of the one-third of Valley Link’s funding that has already been identified through local sources – a total of over $700 million – to support its competitiveness in leveraging additional state and federal funding,” said Melissa Hernandez, vice-chair of the authority board.