Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen applies for DOE Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub
Pitching the Midwest as an optimal place for a new regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub (H2Hub), the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) this week submitted a full application for development with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Clean hydrogen hubs like the one sought here are networks of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and interconnected infrastructure that, under current DOE proposals, would be funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The DOE indicated it was interested in selecting 6-10 hubs later this year, and MachH2 wants to be among them.
“The Midwest continues to be a leader in the clean energy economy, from Illinois’ passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act to multi-state initiatives like MachH2 that redefine what it means to be climate-conscious in our ever-changing economy,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said. “This partnership—which exemplifies Midwestern innovation and leadership—is a crucial step towards establishing an effective clean hydrogen economy in the region while also creating stable, well-paying jobs, and laying the foundation for a cleaner Illinois for future generations.”
MachH2Hub highlighted the Midwest as such a hub owing to existing hydrogen demand and infrastructure, numerous hard-to-decarbonize industries, geology, and carbon storage policies, an abundant supply of zero-carbon energy for clean hydrogen production, and its central location for national hydrogen distribution and access to major freight routes. In this pitch, the group of more than 60 public and private organizations has been backed by the governors of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan and other Midwestern legislators.
“Michigan is proud to be part of this multi-state effort to create a clean hydrogen economy in the region that will create good-paying jobs, expand economic opportunity, promote energy independence, and improve public health outcomes,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “Establishing a clean hydrogen hub in our region will also help Michigan achieve its goal of economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. Let’s get it done.”
MachH2 previously bid and submitted an initial concept paper in November 2022, after which it was encouraged by the DOE to continue its efforts. As of February this year, it joined the Midwest Hydrogen Corridor Consortium as a pooled resources hub and further improved its viability.
