Ohio, six other states join Midwest hydrogen market development coalition

Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he signed a joint memorandum of understanding with six other state leaders supporting the development of clean hydrogen production, processing and use in the Midwest.

The Midwest Hydrogen Coalition, known as the M-H2 Coalition, is part of a collaboration to develop "a robust hydrogen market, supply chain and work force across the Midwest," according to a statement from DeWine's office.

In addition to DeWine, the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin signed the MOU. Each participating state has agreed to leverage its "unique assets" in developing a Midwest hydrogen market ecosystem with the goal of reducing pollution, enhancing energy security and improving public health outcomes, according to language from the document.

DeWine's office said in a statement that Ohio will use its advanced manufacturing, engineering and research and development expertise to help promote diverse hydrogen production as part of a hydrogen hub.

"Ohio has always been a leader in innovation and technology, and this partnership will be the start of a new era of energy production that will create jobs and grow our economy," DeWine said in the statement. "This is just the beginning of our support for a clean hydrogen market, and we look forward to relationships like the one announced today developing and expanding in the Buckeye State."

Hydrogen hubs are networks of producers, consumers and connective infrastructure where various users of hydrogen across industrial, transport and energy markets are co-located. Natural gas can be used as a feeder in a process referred to as "blue hydrogen"—one of the four methods of producing hydrogen.

Multistate agreements such as the M-H2 Coalition are needed to minimize the cost of infrastructure and to support economies of scale in producing and delivering hydrogen to customers.

With the passage earlier this year of the national infrastructure law, $8 billion in funding for at least four Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs is available for infrastructure related to hydrogen production, processing, delivery, storage and end-use.

Ohio has an existing regional group of partners, called the Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance, created with the Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence that represents both hydrogen energy producers and end-users working to bring U.S. Department of Energy grants to the state.

Per the MOU, each state is permitted to collaborate on the development of one or more hydrogen hub applications; must maintain a task force of senior leadership to work with the coalition; and is tasked with coordinating work force initiatives to anticipate shifts in work force demand.