Midwest Clean Hydrogen Hub: A Promise or Greenwashing?
The Midwest is poised to become a hub for clean hydrogen production, thanks to a $22.2 million federal grant awarded to the Midwest Hydrogen Hub.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided funding for the Midwest Hydrogen Hub as part of a larger $7 billion commitment from the Biden administration, dedicated to accelerating clean hydrogen development nationwide. Seven regional hydrogen hub are slated for creation, the Midwest hub is amongst the first to receive phase one funding, totaling $22.2 million.
The Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) leads the initiative, a coalition including manufacturers, universities, and public entities across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan. This initial funding will be used for planning, design, and community engagement, with construction expected to take several years.
The project aims to green the region’s key industries.
"Our fleet of always-on nuclear power plants in Illinois is helping fuel our economic growth with clean energy today and positioning us as a leader in the clean hydrogen future," Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.
The hub plans to produce over 1,000 tons of clean وعلى daily using by: Utilizing wind power, natural gas and nuclear energy. The initiative is projected to reduce 3.9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, the equivalent of removing over 867,000 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road and creating an estimated 12,000 jobs.
A ‘Clean’ Hydrogen Conundrum
Despite its ambitious goals, the Midwest Hydrogen Hub faces scrutiny, particularly regarding its definition of "clean" hydrogen. While proponents envision a future where fuel cell electric buses navigate the streets of Flint, Michigan, and natural gas plants in Whiting, Indiana, minimize emissions employing carbon capture technology, environmentalists remain cautious.
“These hubs are being built in our backyards across the country, without transparency, without our consent, and under the lie that hydrogen is a clean energy source and a magic wand that will solve climate change,” said Lisa Vallee, organizing director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, a solicitor general.
The group, alongside environmental advocacy groups and local communities, are concerned about the use of natural gas in the project, questioning whether turning to it for hydrogen production truly aligns with the transition to renewable energy.
Hydrogen production methods fall into different categories based on energy sources:
-
Green hydrogen: Reliance on renewable sources like wind or solar, ensuring truly clean energy.
- Pink hydrogen:
Production is fueled by nuclear power, raising questions about waste disposal and long-term environmental impact.
- Blue hydrogen:
Produced primarily from gas. While emissions are captured, environmental groups argue it perpetuates reliance on fossil fuels.
The Midwest Hydrogen Hub plans to utilize all three methods, classifying them as part of its "transition to decarbonization." This approach represents a stark contrast to stricter definitions of "clean hydrogen."
“If you look at the carbon intensity of all of our projects measured over the life of this hub, you will see that the carbon intensity is very low,” MachH2’s Chief Integration Officer Neil Banwart told reporters “And therefore all three forms of production would be real, clean hydrogen."
But Lauren Piette, senior attorney at Earthjustice um, raise additional concerns.
“We see that many of the same fossil fuel companies … want to keep their assets online,” she said. "While we recognize hydrogen’s potential for decarbonization when produced through truly clean production methods, many companies
To what extent is the Midwest Hydrogen Hub’s reliance on natural gas, even with carbon capture, compatible with long-term sustainability goals?
## Midwest Clean Hydrogen Hub: A Promise or Greenwashing?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re diving into the world of clean energy with a look at the newly funded Midwest Hydrogen Hub. Joining us is Dr. Emily Carter, an expert on sustainable energy systems at the University of Michigan. Dr. Carter, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Carter:** My pleasure. It’s a complex and fascinating topic.
**Host:** Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is this Midwest Hydrogen Hub, and what are its goals?
**Dr. Carter:** The Midwest Hydrogen Hub is a collaborative initiative aiming to make the Midwest a leader in clean hydrogen production [[1](https://planetdetroit.org/2024/11/midwest-hydrogen-hub-funding/)]. They’ve received $22.2 million in initial funding from the federal government to get started. The goal is to produce over 1,000 tons of “clean” hydrogen per day using a combination of wind power, natural gas, and nuclear energy. The idea is to use this hydrogen to decarbonize industries like steelmaking and heavy-duty transportation.
**Host:** Sounds impressive! But you mentioned “clean” hydrogen. Some people are raising concerns about this term. Can you elaborate?
**Dr. Carter:** There’s a crucial distinction to make. “Clean” hydrogen refers to hydrogen production methods that have minimal carbon emissions. The hub plans to utilize methods like electrolysis powered by renewable sources like wind and nuclear, which are truly clean. However, they also intend to use natural gas with carbon capture technology. While this can significantly reduce emissions, it’s a grey area for some environmentalists who argue that continued reliance on fossil fuels, even with capture, is not sustainable in the long run.
**Host:** That’s a key point. Governor Pritzker of Illinois hailed the project as promoting economic growth while positioning Illinois as a leader in clean energy. How do you see the balance between economic benefits and environmental concerns?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s a delicate balancing act. The project certainly boasts economic potential, with projections of 12,000 jobs created and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
However, we need to carefully scrutinize the methods used to produce hydrogen and ensure that claims of “cleanliness” are accurate and transparent.
Furthermore, ensuring community engagement and addressing concerns voiced by environmental groups is vital for the long-term success and acceptance of such projects.
**Host:** Dr. Carter, thank you for shedding light on this complex issue. It sounds like the Midwest Hydrogen Hub has the potential to be a game changer, but we need to keep a critical eye on its development and ensure it truly aligns with our sustainability goals.
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely. We need to approach these endeavors with both enthusiasm and caution, ensuring they contribute to a truly sustainable future for all.
