The State of Michigan Infrastructure Office announced it is supporting two clean hydrogen hub projects in the state — the Midwest Alliance for Clean Energy (MachH2) and the Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub.
These public-private partnerships could bring up to $200 million in investment and thousands of jobs to the Great Lakes State, officials predict.
The Infrastructure Office is working with MachH2 to build the Hydrogen Truck Stop of the Future — an advanced mobility project that has the potential to establish Michigan as the ideal location for building and testing hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles. The usage of hydrogen to power medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and factories will help Michigan reduce childhood asthma rates and meet its healthy climate goals, officials say.
“Michigan is excited to take a leading role in driving the transition to a clean hydrogen economy in the region,” says Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “Our commitment to clean hydrogen will not only generate good-paying jobs and economic growth, but also strengthen our energy independence and significantly improve public health.
“By establishing clean hydrogen hubs, we are actively contributing to Michigan’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality across all sectors by 2050. Together, we can create a sustainable future.”
To jump-start the production and use of clean hydrogen, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) appropriated $8 billion for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to fund a set of clean hydrogen hubs. State officials say they are “aggressively” pursuing funding for clean hydrogen hubs and more.
Michigan’s universities and colleges, including the University of Michigan, Albion College, and Kettering University, are reportedly leading the way in hydrogen research, projects, and workforce development programs. The state’s collaborative efforts with academic institutions and Michigan-based companies are laying the groundwork for a clean and vibrant hydrogen economy.
In addition to working with states throughout the Midwest to launch the Midwestern Hydrogen Coalition, Michigan is working closely with the Province of Ontario, Canada to explore new opportunities for developing a regional hydrogen economy and addressing the needs of companies operating on both sides of the border.
The U.S. Department of Energy is expected to announce clean hydrogen hub applications selected for funding sometime in fall 2023 with the first phase of projects anticipated to begin in 2024.
