Verne Inc., a San Francisco-based company, is set to open a plant in Muncy, Lycoming County, to manufacture mobile compressed-hydrogen storage tanks for electricity generators. This initiative is expected to create a minimum of 61 new jobs and is scheduled to be operational within nine months. The company will invest $4.5 million in the plant, with the state of Pennsylvania providing incentives amounting to almost $1.3 million, including loans, grants for machinery and equipment, and job training. Verne Inc. aims to tackle the energy mismatch in the nation by establishing a decentralized energy network using combustible hydrogen and generators to offer energy as a service to various sectors like data centers, construction sites, and shipping ports. The company has developed a process to increase the density of hydrogen by cooling and compressing the gas to extremely low temperatures, making compressed hydrogen competitive with diesel fuel for on-site generators. Verne Inc. plans to manufacture around 500 tanks by the end of 2026 and scale up to about 4,000 tanks in 2027, with intentions to continue operations in the region and potentially expand within the facility or neighboring sites. The decision to choose Lycoming County was influenced by factors such as the presence of educational institutions like the Pennsylvania College of Technology and companies like PMF Industries in Williamsport, along with strong support from the local Chamber of Commerce. Governor Josh Shapiro mentioned that this plant will contribute to the state's energy production legacy, providing a future for energy innovation in the region and supporting economic growth.