Bipartisan Illinois Congressional Delegation Authors Letter of Support for Midwest Alliance For Clean Hydrogen’s Clean Hydrogen Hub Application to Department of Energy 

Members highlight the Midwest hub’s existing clean energy assets, infrastructure, and heavy industry as competitive advantages in accelerating the clean hydrogen transformation

CHICAGO (May 25, 2023) — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led a bipartisan group of Illinois Congressional delegation members in sending a letter to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm in support of the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen’s (MachH2) proposal for a regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub (H2Hub), funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“With robust and well-established agricultural, manufacturing, and transportation infrastructure networks, a hydrogen hub in the Midwest offers opportunities to advance an unparalleled, comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem,” wrote the Members. “As the state with the most abundant nuclear power facilities, a growing number of other carbon-free energy sources, and a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, Illinois is a prime state from which to maximize existing energy infrastructure for hydrogen. Illinois has been a leader in clean energy deployment, and we look forward to incorporating clean hydrogen into our resource mix.”            

In addition to Sen. Durbin and Rep. Foster, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Sean Casten (D-IL), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), and Brad Schneider (D-IL). 

MachH2’s application is also backed by a bipartisan group of Midwestern legislators and Governors, including Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL), Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), and Governor Eric Holcomb (R-IN). 

Made up of more than 60 public and private entities representing every phase in the hydrogen value chain, MachH2 members are united in a shared vision to create an immediately scalable hydrogen hub in the Midwest that deploys the region’s abundant carbon-free energy to create a clean hydrogen economy and reduce emissions across multiple heavy emitting sectors.

In April, MachH2 submitted its full application to the DOE, which is expected to select 6-10 hubs later this year. Full text of the letter is below and viewable at this link.

Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm 

U.S. Department of Energy 

1000 Independence Ave SW 

Washington, DC 20585                   

Dear Secretary Granholm:              

May 18, 2023                        

We write in support of the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen’s (MachH2) proposal for the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Funding Opportunity under Section 40314 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.                      

MachH2 is a multi-state coalition of public and private entities representing every phase in the hydrogen value chain. The alliance includes a cross-section of carbon-free energy producers, clean energy developers, hydrogen technology providers, utilities, major manufacturers, national labs and leading hydrogen technology development and deployment institutions, world-class universities, and civic-minded organizations, among others.

With robust and well-established agricultural, manufacturing, and transportation infrastructure networks, a hydrogen hub in the Midwest offers opportunities to advance an unparalleled, comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem. As the state with the most abundant nuclear power facilities, a growing number of other carbon-free energy sources, and a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, Illinois is a prime state from which to maximize existing energy infrastructure for hydrogen. Illinois has been a leader in clean energy deployment, and we look forward to incorporating clean hydrogen into our resource mix.

The Midwest provides workforce opportunities in all areas of the hydrogen energy economy, including higher education and specialized workers. Illinois’ premier colleges and universities stand ready to partner with hydrogen developers across the Midwest to develop the highly skilled workforce needed to power the emerging state, regional, and national hydrogen economy.

The MachH2 proposal provides a unique and comprehensive next step for the United States’ hydrogen enterprise. We offer our full support of the proposal and ask that you give it your full and fair consideration.

Sincerely, 

• Category: Press Release