MADISON, Wis. — Several states throughout the Midwest, including Wisconsin, have joined together to form a group that plans to help move state economies away from fossil fuel use by using the most common element in the universe: hydrogen.
The seven-state Midwest Hydrogen Coalition — which includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana — will provide opportunities for researchers and businesses in each state to collaborate on ways to create “clean hydrogen” more effectively.
The fuel is typically referred to as “clean” when it’s made using methods that emit little or no greenhouse gases in the process. When used in specialized fuel cells, hydrogen creates only water as a byproduct.
“We don’t have to choose between clean energy and clean air and creating good-paying jobs and a strong economy—we can do both,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a press release. “As we work to implement our state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan, I’m proud to join this coalition of fellow Midwestern governors working together to accelerate clean hydrogen production, foster economic development, and lower costs, while reducing emissions across Wisconsin and our entire region.”
Funding for the creation of similar coalitions was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which set aside a total of $8 billion for the Department of Energy to direct funds to regional hubs tasked with developing new opportunities for the fuel. Officials with Evers’ office said the Midwestern Hydrogen Coalition may pursue a Hydrogen Hub application through the BIL. Applications are expected to open sometime this fall.
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If made more widely available, hydrogen has the potential to help governments and businesses decarbonize parts of their economy in an effort to slow the effects of climate change. Those new hydrogen technologies — alongside other green energy developments — could also give way to more than 40,000 new jobs in Wisconsin by 2030, Evers’ administration said.
According to a news release from Evers’ office, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act also includes tax credits for hydrogen production that are meant to encourage energy providers to pursue hydrogen as an alternative power source.
Read the full press release on the Midwest Hydrogen Coalition’s formation here.
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