LANSING —Governor Whitmer announced that a Michigan-backed clean hydrogen hub project, the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) has received $22.2 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and support from members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
The funding will advance the next phase of planning and development of regional supply chains for the production, distribution, and use of hydrogen trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. MachH2 is anticipated to create 12,000 direct jobs and catalyze further growth and economic opportunities in the developing hydrogen sector.
The investment includes the creation of a hydrogen “Truck Stop of the Future” in Detroit, a clean hydrogen production facility in Ypsilanti, and the expansion of a clean hydrogen production and refueling center for public transit in Flint.
Investments in the development of a robust clean hydrogen market, supply chain, and workforce also have a strong potential to create good-paying jobs, expand economic opportunities, promote energy independence, and improve public health outcomes. Clean hydrogen is a game changer in the global effort to address climate change and will help Michigan achieve the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
“Today, Michigan won an investment to support the MachH2 hydrogen hub project, which will create 12,000 jobs and shore up our state’s leadership in this emerging sector,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to our state legislature, congressional delegation, and leading, cutting-edge companies, Michigan will lead the future of clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Together, we will produce more American energy using American workers, create tens of thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs, and bring critical supply chains home from overseas. With more strategic partnerships like this hydrogen hub, we can build a future where everyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
In October 2023, Governor Whitmer announced that MachH2 was one of only seven projects selected by DOE to usher in the next generation of clean energy and clean manufacturing across the Midwest. The $22.2 million investment is for Phase 1 on MachH2, which will include planning, design, development, and community and labor engagement activities. Phase 1 is expected to last between 12 to 18 months.
Hydrogen Truck Stop of the Future
In cooperation with the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is working with MachH2 to build a hydrogen “Truck Stop of the Future” in Detroit. This advanced mobility project will enable the future decarbonization of Gordie Howe International Bridge traffic and establish Michigan as the ideal location for building and testing hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles. The hydrogen “Truck Stop of the Future” could represent emissions reductions of up to 8,250 tons of CO2 per year, the equivalent of growing 115,000 tree seedlings for 10 years.
American Center for Mobility Hydrogen Production Facility
MachH2 will oversee the construction of a hydrogen production facility at the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Ypsilanti. ACM is a national leader in exploring the mobility issues of the future and their project will provide ACM with on-site hydrogen generation, the potential for supporting advanced hydrogen R&D, and a key role within the southeast Michigan hydrogen supply chain.
Expanding Hydrogen Production in Flint
The Flint Mass Transportation Authority is also working to expand its existing hydrogen production and fleet of fuel-cell buses, leading to further reductions in transportation-related emissions. The current fleet of buses has reduced Flint MTA’s consumption of diesel fuel by 99 percent, from three million gallons down to 30,000, clearing the air and saving taxpayers money. A national leader in hydrogen transit, Flint MTA is setting an example for other regional transit authorities as well as supporting the development of a hydrogen supply chain in Flint. The Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund provided $11.25 million in matching funds to the Flint MTA and MDOT will provide $2.9 million to cover 20 percent of the matching funds.
Michigan Leads on Clean Energy
A recent report from Climate Power shows Michigan continues to be a national leader in clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. Bolstered by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Michigan is No. 1 in the nation for IRA projects, which have resulted in more than $26 billion in new investments across the state. This funding, in tandem with Governor Whitmer’s clean energy legislative package and bipartisan economic development tools, is growing the middle class, creating good-paying, in-demand manufacturing jobs, bringing supply chains home, and lowering energy costs for families.
To learn more about the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen, please visit https://machh2.com.
To learn more about hydrogen projects underway in Michigan, please visit Michigan Leads on Hydrogen.
