T-L Photos/CARRI GRAHAM Bo Wholey, president and CEO of the Long Ridge Energy Terminal, right, talks to Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, left, during a tour of the facility Tuesday. Also pictured is Chris Bates, plant manager.

HANNIBAL– Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan made a stop in Hannibal Tuesday to meet with officials and tour the Long Ridge Energy Generation power plant.

Long Ridge Energy Terminal President and CEO Robert “Bo” Wholey and other officials guided Ryan, D-Niles, on a tour of the 485-megawatt power plant, showing him how they blend hydrogen with natural gas to fuel the facility and discussing future economic development opportunities for Ohio.

Following the hour-long tour, Ryan said the region is leading the way in energy efficiency and job creation.

“Southeast Ohio is not just leading the country but leading the world with hydrogen and natural gas. It’s a job creator, it’s good for the environment, it’s a winner all the way around. It will help locate more manufacturers to Ohio by having a low cost to this innovation that’s happening right here in southeast Ohio, which is why we should look at the infrastructure bill which is going to continue to build up these hydrogen hubs,” he said.

The Democrat Ryan is in his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives and is seeking election to the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Republican Rob Portman, who is retiring. Ryan won the Democratic primary in the Senate race earlier this month and will face Republican J.D. Vance in the general election on Nov. 8.

Ryan now serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which directs expenditures by the federal government. He also serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus and as chairman of the Legislative Subcommittee on Appropriations. He has stressed his efforts to support American workers as he campaigns for the Senate.

Ryan said he and his colleagues in the House are working hard to ensure Eastern Ohio is included in potential funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“I want Ohio to be the arsenal of energy,” he added.

In order to bring in other manufacturers, you have to have low-cost energy, Ryan said.

“That means natural gas, that means hydrogen. It shouldn’t be a political issue. It’s called being an American and building stuff in America again, and we’re leading the way right here in southeast Ohio. It’s a very exciting time,” he said.

“… I know there’s a lot of Democrats who don’t support this but I do, and I think it’s an opportunity for us to create jobs here, manufacture things here and as we move into natural gas and able to export it to our European allies, not Vladimir Putin … we could have a win across the board and across the globe that starts right here in southeast Ohio,” Ryan said.

Wholey said it was “great” to have Ryan visit the plant and check out what they are doing at the Hannibal facility.

“Long Ridge power plant is the only power plant in the world that’s been blending hydrogen at a large scale, and the reason that’s important is that we’re seeking federal funding from the Infrastructure Bill – $8 billion is being made available for hydrogen funding. … And we really appreciate Congressman Ryan’s support today,” he said.

Wholey said company officials wanted to ensure Ryan saw what a good site the Hannibal terminal would make for a hydrogen hub.

“Going forward, our goal is really simple. It’s to increase the hydrogen that we’re putting into this power plant, and it’s great that Congressman Ryan was able to come today and see us in action just as we look to scale up our operations,” he said.

He said the power plant is beneficial to the region with both job creation and aiding in the reduction of CO2 emissions by blending hydrogen.