Timeline

 December 2024:  Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) published for the Limestone Green Hydrogen project in Young County, TX.

January 2025:  Final EA (DOE/EA-2281) published by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the same project.

2024 Mid-Year:  Public statements by Plug indicate construction of Texas plant to begin “later this year”.

Late 2025: Target for completion of construction and start of production for the Young County plant.

January 16, 2025:  Plug Power closes on a $1.66 billion DOE loan guarantee (covering up to six green hydrogen plants, the first of which is the Texas facility).

2026+:  Operations ramp-up period. From the EA: construction expected to take a defined schedule and operations to commence thereafter.

Construction & Operational Highlights
 

• According to the Draft EA (Dec 2024), construction of the proposed action is described in section 2.1 and the “Construction Schedule” is detailed in section 2.2 of the EA.
• Plug Power’s SEC filing noted for the Texas plant: “The 45 TPD plant in Texas broke ground in Q4 2022. All permits are in place… we are targeting liquid hydrogen production mid-year 2024.”
•  That earlier target appears to have been delayed (external reporting now points to late 2025).
• The Young County facility is expected to be powered by an adjacent wind farm (renewable energy) and will house Plug’s electrolyzer technology and liquefaction/storage systems.

Caveats / Delays
 

• While earlier filings suggested “mid-2024” production start, later local reporting indicates a revised target of “late 2025” for completion.
• Large-scale projects like this often face delays due to permitting, financing, supply-chain, and construction issues. Plug itself has noted that timelines could shift.
• The DOE EA indicates that operations will begin after construction and commissioning; exact commercial ramp-up dates beyond the “late 2025” mark are not specified in public documents. 

1. Job Creation & Local Employment

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) summary of the loan guarantee for Plug, the project is expected to deliver at least 50 new full-time jobs per plant location.
In the Young County case, local reporting says the plant will employ plant managers, operators, technicians, dispatchers, maintenance and quality control personnel. During construction, there will also be a significant number of jobs (construction, infrastructure, etc.).  Benefit to County/City: More jobs mean more local income, more people working locally (less commuting out), and more stable employment.

2. Tax Base Expansion / Economic Growth
The facility is large: local press reports indicate the plant’s value is about $281 million in initial investment for the Young County plant.
The Young County Commissioners approved a tax abatement (70 % abatement for 10 years) on the project, signaling the county expects significant incremental tax base growth over time.  Even with abatement, it was reported that:
“The plant will … lift the county tax base by more than 20 %.” Benefit to County/City: A larger tax base means more resources for schools, infrastructure, emergency services, etc. It also means the area is more attractive to other businesses (because demand & infrastructure improved).

3. Infrastructure & Site Revitalization
The plant involves new infrastructure: 40-acre facility site, access road (1.1 miles) and transmission line (~13.6 miles) in Young County.
The county gains from the development of those infrastructure pieces (roads, utilities) which can benefit other local uses. Benefit to County/City: Upgraded infrastructure often has spill-over benefits (other businesses or industries can use new roads/transmission/utility lines).

4. Environmental & Clean Energy Leadership
Plug’s project is described in the DOE Final Environmental Assessment as producing 45 tons per day of “green hydrogen” from water using renewable energy (wind/solar) in Young County.
The DOE states that such projects help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and air pollutants, and support America’s clean energy transition.
Benefit to County/City: Having a “clean energy” project improves local environmental credentials, potentially attracting other clean-energy companies; could improve quality of life (less pollution). It may also position the region for future growth in renewable and hydrogen‐associated businesses.

5. Workforce Development & Local Skills
The DOE condition on Plug’s loan guarantee includes a “Community Benefits Plan” that requires local workforce development, apprenticeships, use of the local One-Stop Career Centers etc.  Benefit to County/City: This means local residents may have better access to higher-skilled jobs, training programs, and sustained employment opportunities—not just temporary construction work.