Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) Selected as Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub by U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED)
MachH2, clean hydrogen industry will deliver high-quality jobs, improved air quality, public health improvements, and economic development to the Midwest
CHICAGO (October 13, 2023) — Today, the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) announced it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to develop a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (H2Hub). DOE’s H2Hubs will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the H2Hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen—helping generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation. Together, they will also reduce 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from end-uses each year—an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars—and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country while supporting healthier communities and strengthening America’s energy security.
“This is a historic day for MachH2 and the entire Midwest,” said Dr. Dorothy Davidson, CEO of MachH2. “Our hub and the region bring an unparalleled supply of clean energy, significant regional hydrogen demand, heavy industry, and an ideal location at the crossroads of America – all of which was recognized by the DOE’s selection of MachH2. Our hub will scale the production and delivery of abundant, reliable, and increasingly affordable clean hydrogen to support our national climate goals in the coming decade, all while creating jobs and lifting up underrepresented communities that have been overburdened by pollution.”
“Unlocking the full potential of hydrogen—a versatile fuel that can be made from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country—is crucial to achieving President Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable clean energy options for American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With this historic investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is laying the foundation for a new, American-led industry that will propel the global clean energy transition while creating high quality jobs and delivering healthier communities in every pocket of the nation.”
“I couldn’t be prouder that once again, Illinois and the Midwest will be leading the way in equity-conscious clean energy development through the construction of a major hydrogen production and distribution hub,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “When I signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2019, it was with this sort of collaborative, economically sound manufacturing and expansion in mind, and we are seeing the results of those efforts play out every day. We’re grateful that the Biden administration has recognized our regional strength in workforce, education, and innovation, and look forward to working with MachH2 and our neighboring states to continue this project.”
“I congratulate the MachH2 team for a successful application and award from the DOE, and Indiana is excited to partner with the MachH2 consortium,” Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “Indiana and the Midwest at large possesses all the components critical for a successful and inclusive hydrogen economy. Among them, Indiana’s world-class universities that offer leading research and development and create a highly skilled workforce ready to get to work building a new hydrogen ecosystem ripe for growth.”
“The Midwest is showing the nation that by working together, we can grow our economy, create good-paying jobs, and bring business investments to our region,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Michigan is proud to work with our neighbors to build up our hydrogen industry and lead the future of the emerging clean energy sector. Michigan is leading the nation in clean energy and electric vehicle projects and jobs. With MachH2, we will continue reducing our emissions, improving public health outcomes, and building a brighter future for generations to come.”
MachH2 anticipates creating 13,600 direct jobs—12,100 in construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs. Made up of more than 70 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 and low-carbon energy to create a clean hydrogen economy and reduce emissions across multiple heavy emitting sectors. A list of alliance members is available here.
When made with clean energy, hydrogen is an essential resource in meeting our nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. As an energy source, hydrogen does not emit carbon and can be used to reduce emissions from multiple difficult-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy, including steelmaking, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, and long-haul transportation, among others.
MachH2 submitted its full application to the DOE in April of this year. The hub anticipates the award negotiation period with the DOE to begin in the Winter of 2023-2024.
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About MachH2: 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 and low-carbon 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 groups focused on environmental justice. Learn more at MachH2.com.
About the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) was established to accelerate clean energy technologies and fill a critical innovation gap on the path to achieving our nation’s climate goals of net zero emissions by 2050. OCED’s mission is to deliver clean energy demonstration projects at scale in partnership with the private sector to accelerate deployment, market adoption, and the equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system. Visit energy.gov/oced to learn more.