Join us at the 2025 Northwest Renewable Hydrogen Conference - Register Now

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WHEN

September 16, 2025

WHERE

Portland, OR

The Avenue

631 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232

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Join the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance at the 2025 Northwest Renewable Hydrogen Conference – the longest running and only locally led hydrogen conference in the Pacific Northwest. Returning to Portland, OR on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, this year’s conference will focus on the latest policy and project developments in our region and give you the opportunity to network with RHA members, policy partners, and local industry leaders.  

The Conference will also include exclusive RHA member only networking opportunities on Monday, September 15, and will conclude with RHA’s Annual Member Meeting on Wednesday, September 17.

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SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Chris Green

President

Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association

Chris Green

Chris, formerly the director of the Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness for the Washington Department of Commerce, where since 2015 he led international trade, business recruitment/retention and rural economic development units. Prior to Commerce, Chris served for seven years as vice president for
business retention and expansion at the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-PierceCounty. Before that, he worked in government relations for several elected officials, including former U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer.

Chris earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington.
Chris enjoys volunteering and coaching local youth sport programs, and spending time with his wife, three children and family in Tacoma.

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Janine Benner

Director

Oregon Department of Energy

Janine Benner

Janine Benner serves as the Director of the Oregon Department of Energy. Janine joined ODOE in 2017 as Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation and was confirmed by the Oregon Senate as ODOE’s director in February 2018. Janine came to ODOE from the U.S. Department of Energy, where she served as Associate Assistant Secretary in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Janine also spent 12 years working for Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), as Energy and Environmental Policy Advisor, Legislative Director, and Deputy Chief of Staff. She grew up in Portland, OR and has a degree in history from Princeton University.

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Matt Boehnke

Washington State Senator

8th Legislative District

Matt Boehnke

Sen. Matt Boehnke (Bank-ee) is serving his first term representing the 8th Legislative District in the State Senate after serving two terms in the Washington House of Representatives.

Matt was raised in Kennewick, graduating from Kamiakin High School in 1986. He then attended Eastern Washington University, where he graduated as an ROTC-Distinguished Military Graduate and received his active-duty commission in the U.S. Army Aviation branch in 1990. He spent the next 21 years in the service, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring and moving back to Kennewick.

Since 2015, Matt has served as the director and lead professor of the cybersecurity division at Columbia Basin College. He also owns a cybersecurity consulting business. Before joining the Legislature, he served on the Kennewick City Council for three years.

In the House, Matt served on three committees, including in a leadership role as the ranking minority member of the Community and Economic Development Committee. He was also a House Appropriations and Environment and Energy committee member.

Matt currently serves as the Ranking Member on the Senate committee on Environment, Energy & Technology, in addition to membership on the Senate committees on Higher Education, Ways & Means, and Rules.

During the 2024 legislative session, Matt served on the Senate committee on Human Services (Ranking); Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade; Environment, Energy & Technology; and Ways & Means committees.

Matt and his wife, Dawn, have been married for over 33 years. They have two sons, Matthew and Brandon.

Community Service: Washington State University Tri-Cities Advisory Board, Visit Tri-Cities Board, Wa St Office of Chief Information Officer-Technical Services Board; ArtsWA Board; PISCES Board; Supply Chain Caucus Chair, Aviation Caucus Co Chair; Hydrogen Caucus Co Chair; NCSL Nuclear Legislative Working Group; Sunrise Rotarian; Tri-City Americans Billet Family; Bethlehem Lutheran Church; Lifetime member of the American Legion; National Rifle Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Member of the Washington Education Association; and the Columbia Basin Veterans Coalition.

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Virgle Osborne

Oregon State Representative

House District 2

Virgle Osborne

Virgle and his wife call beautiful Douglas County home, cherishing the bounty of hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures the region has to offer. 

Now serving his second term as State Representative for Oregon House District 2, which includes towns like Roseburg, Sutherlin and Yoncalla, as well as the breathtaking Umpqua National Forest, Virgle works tirelessly to improve the lives of his constituents and ensure rural communities continue to thrive. 

With deep roots in Douglas County, Oregon, Virgle Osborne has dedicated his life to fostering and uplifting the vibrant communities of southern Oregon. Growing up in a close-knit town with fewer than 4,000 residents, Virgle developed a profound appreciation for the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural areas - a passion that has become the cornerstone of his mission. 

Virgle's commitment to public service is evident through his extensive involvement. As a team leader for the Douglas County Search and Rescue Team, he has played an instrumental role in ensuring the safety of his community, including specialized participation in 4x4 and Snowcat operations. His leadership extended to commissions such as the Winston Planning Commission and the Douglas County Planning Commission, where he served as chairman, shaping policies to support local growth. Presently, he chairs the Oregon Parks and Recreation OHV Oversight Committee and the Sub-Committee, further demonstrating his dedication to preserving and promoting outdoor recreation in Oregon. 

In 2019, Virgle founded Champagne Creek Ranch, a nonprofit organization that serves as a haven for first responders, children, and adults with physical limitations. Additionally, the ranch has become a hub for local kids' ATV training, mountain biking, hiking and other outdoor recreation. 

Beyond public service, Virgle is a successful entrepreneur owning Twin Peaks Offroad since 2014. His first hands-on experiences as a small business owner offers him firsthand insight into challenges faced by local business. He also served as a Senior Account Manager at FCC Commercial Furniture, bridging business expertise with community-oriented services. 

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April Sims

President

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

April Sims

April Sims (she/her) was elected President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO by its affiliated unions in October 2022 and was sworn in to begin her four-year term in January 2023. She is the first woman to be elected WSLC president. As President, Sims is the chief executive officer of the council supervising all of its activities and staff, promoting affiliation with the WSLC, representing the council at the national AFL-CIO, and performing any other duties as assigned by the WSLC Executive Board.

Sims previously served from 2019 to 2022 as WSLC Secretary Treasurer, the chief financial officer of the council. Prior to her election to that position, Sims was the WSLC’s Political and Strategic Campaign Director since November 2017, working to develop shared agendas with labor and community partners, to advance strategic organizing campaigns, and to recruit, train and elect political champions for working people. She first joined the WSLC in September 2015 as Field Mobilization Director, working with WSLC-affiliated unions and community partners to support and encourage the participation of individual members with many different political, legislative and community programs.

Sims joined the WSLC staff, after serving as the Legislative and Political Action Field Coordinator for the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE), where she was responsible for member education, communication, and mobilization around legislative issues and political campaigns. She was a WFSE member, shop steward, elected union officer, and union staffer from 2002-15.

Sims firmly believes in the power of working people organizing together, and has dedicated her working life to affirming that power. For her, the importance of union membership is personal; it was her mother’s union position as a psychiatric security attendant at Western State Hospital that allowed her family to move off welfare and build a sense of financial security. A life-long resident of Tacoma, April lives with her family and 110-pound chocolate lab in the gritty city she’s proud to call home.

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Shiloh Burgess

Government Affairs Manager

Douglas County Public Utility District

Shiloh Burgess

Shiloh Burgess is the Government Affairs Manager for Douglas County PUD where she is responsible for helping guide the PUD’s strategic policy and regulatory direction.  Prior to joining the PUD, Shiloh led the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce for nearly nine years. According to Rufus Woods, Wenatchee World Publisher Emeritus, the Chamber was “built into a powerful local asset” during her tenure as Executive Director. Before joining the Chamber, Shiloh had the privilege of working 10 years for the Washington State Senate. 

Shiloh’s passion for people and advocacy can be seen through her leadership on several local, state, and regional boards. She was recently re-appointed as a citizen member of the Washington State Recreation Conservation Funding Board and is  the current Board President of the Alatheia Riding Center, Vice Chair for the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance and she sits on the Our Valley Our Future board. Shiloh is a past executive board member of the State of Washington Tourism (2016-2021) and the Association of Washington Business (2016-2018).

Shiloh enjoys exploring the outdoors with her partner Steve, and her goldendoodle, Dottie.

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AGENDA

Pre-Conference Events: Monday, September 15

Join the Women+in Hydrogen network and RHA for a high tea in downtown Portland. All women+ in the hydrogen industry welcome!

More details to come. Sign up for event updates here.

Join RHA for a hike through Washington Park while networking with other Hydrogen industry leaders. Open to all.

More details to come.

Exclusive welcome reception for conference speakers, sponsors, and RHA members. Kick off the conference with dinner, drinks, and time to network.

More details to come.

Conference: Tuesday, September 16
RHA Member Meeting: Wednesday, September 17
See Full Agenda

REGISTRATION

RHA Member
Registration

Value: $300
Register by August 16, 2025

Standard: $350
 Register by September 16, 2025

Registration includes:
Full-Day Conference
Networking Breaks, Lunch, Evening Reception
RHA Member Exclusive Welcome Reception

Value Registration

General
Registration

Value: $550
Register by August 16, 2025

Standard: $600
 Register by September 16, 2025

Registration includes:
 Full-Day Conference
Networking Breaks, Lunch, Evening Reception

Become an RHA Member
Value Registration
Speaker + Sponsor Registration

2025 SPONSORS

Lunch Sponsor

Evening Reception Sponsor

Session Sponsors

SPONSOR & EXHIBIT

Become a sponsor or exhibitor and have the opportunity to access RHA’s extensive network of members, policy partners, and local industry leaders and showcase your organization to the region’s key decision makers.

Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor

ACCOMMODATIONS

The conference venue (The Avenue, 631 NE Grand Ave, Portland OR 97232) is conveniently located one block from the Oregon Convention Center and has several hotels within walking distance. Take advantage of discounted block room rates at the following hotels.

Hyatt Regency

375 NE Holladay St, Portland, OR 97232
7 minute walk to conference venue

$229/night

Code: G-REHA

Book by August 25, 2025

Book

Hotel Eastlund

1021 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232
5 minute walk to conference venue

$159/night

Code: RHACONF25

Book by August 15, 2025

Book
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