Hydrogen Acceleration Act (WasserstoffBG).

This Act establishes a legal framework in Germany to simplify and accelerate planning, approval, and procurement procedures for hydrogen infrastructure, including production, storage, import, transport, and related facilities. Its objective is to support the expansion of the hydrogen economy and contribute to achieving climate neutrality by 2045. The Act defines its scope and key terms, covering installations such as electrolysers, hydrogen pipelines, storage, and facilities for hydrogen carriers (e.g. ammonia, methanol). It designates these projects as being in the overriding public interest, subject to limited exceptions. The Act contains measures for mandatory electronic environmental assessments, accelerated procurement and review procedures, and restrictions on the suspensive effect of legal remedies against project approvals. Implementation provisions clarify jurisdiction of courts, set transitional rules for ongoing procedures, and require government reporting on the impacts of the public-interest designation.