University Park, IL,
07
November
2022
|
10:25 AM
America/Chicago

Governors State Joins Regional Hydrogen Hub to Combat Climate Change

Summary

Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (Mach H2) will leverage region’s abundant carbon-free energy and support thousands of jobs, while reducing emissions from industrial sectors.

Mach H2

University Park, Ill. -- Governors State University (GSU) in partnership with the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) recently announced that it will submit an application to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub to be funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

MachH2, a multistate coalition of public and private entities, represents every phase in the value chain to process hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. When made with clean energy, it is an essential resource in meeting our nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The alliance will support an estimated 4,500 construction jobs and 400 permanent positions once complete. Total construction spending is estimated at nearly $4 billion, including $1.7 billion in wages and $65 million to $70 million in state income taxes. The 400 permanent positions will generate an estimated $60 million in wages annually -- or roughly $900 million over the 15-year operating life of the projects – and an additional $35 million to $40 million in state income taxes. More projects may be added as the hub continues to develop, leading to further economic benefits for the region – especially in underinvested communities through meaningful engagement and workforce development.

The alliance's goals include incorporating extensive community engagement and advance public health, job growth and contribute to the administration's Justice 40 objectives; advancing hydrogen technology and infrastructure in collaboration with national labs, universities and top research and technology institutions; and fostering  the creation and expansion of workforce development programs to support high-paying jobs produced by a clean energy economy.

GSU’s expertise in the area of workforce development makes it a viable partner for the innovative initiative,  which aligns with the university's vision to serve as an economic catalyst for the region,and lead as a model of academic excellence, innovation, diversity and responsible citizenship.

"Governors State is excited to join the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) to meet the goals of the Justice 40 Initiative, particularly in the area of workforce development,’’ said Dr. Beverly Schneller, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs at Governors State University. “Governors State is committed to developing workforce opportunities in the Will County region, where the vast majority of our graduates continue to live and work. Creating pipelines to industry with partners such as Amazon, CN Railroad, among others, help to realize the vision of the university, which seeks to serve as an economic catalyst for the region.”

U.S. senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth both endorsed the Infrastructure Act and what it represents for the nation and citizens.

 “We must transition to more sustainable, cleaner fuels and forms of energy if we hope to pass on a livable planet to our kids and grandkids,” said Dick Durbin. “With so many expert Illinois organizations collaborating on MachH2, I am confident that this Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub proposal will make for a sound investment for the Department of Energy. Hydrogen promises to play a critical role in decarbonizing the transportation sector, and MachH2 demonstrates that Illinois stands ready to deliver on that promise.”

Duckworth said Illinois is an ideal setting for MachH2.

“With Illinois’s robust array of thought leaders, world-class institutions and innovative laboratories, it only makes sense that our great state should be home to the Midwestern Hydrogen hub,” she said. “Illinois’s leadership in clean energy combined with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s clean energy provisions is a recipe for positive change to our energy economy and a better protected environment for years to come.”


Read more about MachH2 here. 
The alliance includes the following members with the opportunity to grow as more parties are identified. Current alliance members include:
 

·       ADL Ventures

·       American Center for Mobility

·       Atlas Agro

·       Argonne National Laboratory

·       Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc.

·       Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

·       Chicago NSBE's The Chicago STEM Foundation

·       Chicago State University

·       Constellation

·       Discovery Partners Institute, Part of the University of Illinois System

·       Gevo

·       Governors State University

·       GTI Energy

·       Holtec International

·       Idaho National Laboratory

·       Institute for Work & the Economy

·       Invenergy

·       LanzaJet, Inc.

·       LanzaTech

·       Marquis, Inc.

·       mHUB

·       Missouri University of Science and Technology

·       Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company

·       Nicor Gas

·       NiSource Inc

·       Northwestern University

·       Orano USA

·       Plug Power

·       University of Chicago

·       University of Illinois Chicago

·       University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

·       University of Illinois System

·       University of Michigan


Contact: Zion Banks

email: zbanks@govst.edu

phone: 630-842-6427