Seven Midwest governors on Monday announced the creation of the Midwestern Hydrogen Coalition to accelerate clean hydrogen’s production and use.
Dubbed the M-H2 Coalition, the group includes Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Their governors signed a memorandum of understanding that seeks to establish a “robust clean hydrogen market, supply chain and workforce ecosystem in the Midwest.”
The participating governors said the Midwest has the potential to be a clean hydrogen market because it’s already flush with an ammonia distribution network, pipelines and agricultural nurse tanks, thanks to the region’s manufacturing and agricultural background.
The coalition said it will use a “coordinated multistate, multisector approach to developing a robust and sustainable hydrogen economy across the Midwest, informed by industry, academic and community engagement.” It plans to create a taskforce of senior leadership from each participating state and collaborate with corporations, universities and nonprofit organizations to best determine how to remove barriers and develop a Midwest workforce and market for clean hydrogen.
The M-H2 Coalition said it will pursue funding through applications for hydrogen hub designation under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The legislation appropriated $8 billion to the U.S. Department of Energy to create regional clean hydrogen hubs, or networks of production, consumers and connective infrastructure. The DOE is expected to open a application period for the hubs this fall.
“We don’t have to choose between clean energy and clean air and creating good paying jobs and a strong economy — we can do both,” Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said in a press release.
“Kentucky’s robust infrastructure, strong chemical and manufacturing base, along with our leadership in the automotive and logistics sectors position us as a natural location for economic development in hydrogen,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said. “We are looking forward to working with our Midwest and local industry partners to build a hydrogen economy in Kentucky.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said the “partnership will be the start of a new era of energy production that will create jobs and grow our economy.” He said the coalition is “just the beginning of our support for a clean hydrogen market.”
