Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of the US state of Michigan, has signed an executive order to boost natural H2 exploration in the state, which she describes as “one of the most promising regions in the world for naturally occurring geologic hydrogen”.

“Michigan is uniquely positioned to benefit from the growth of hydrogen energy,” Whitmer stated in the preamble to the executive order.

“The geologic hydrogen in the Midcontinent Rift that lies beneath Michigan could, if commercially viable, generate tens of millions of dollars annually in direct state revenue, and drive an even larger indirect fiscal impact that benefits our families and communities.”

As such, the executive order includes a new “Michigan Geologic Hydrogen Exploration and Preparedness Initiative” to coordinate strategy around this potential resource, while directing state departments to evaluate the legality and impacts of drilling for H2.

The state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is required to submit a report on or before 1 April to outline existing statutory and regulatory authority to permit natural hydrogen exploration and production — as well as any impediments in current law — and estimates for the potential CO2 or pollution impact of extracting H2 from the subsurface for use in industry and transportation.

The department will also assess “the potential use of existing oil and gas wells and related infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and monitoring, including safety considerations and best practices for both aboveground and subsurface uses”.

By the 1 April deadline, the state’s Department of Natural Resources will also be required to submit a report on any legal impediments to leasing state-owned subsurface rights for natural hydrogen exploration and production, as well as any necessary changes to legal or administrative procedures to enable leasing, permitting, and resource stewardship.

Meanwhile, the state’s infrastructure office will have to submit a report by the same deadline on the potential jobs impact of setting up a natural hydrogen industry in Michigan, as well as wider economic effects.

And the Michigan Public Service Commission is directed to submit a report on the suitability of existing energy infrastructure, “including but not limited to natural gas pipelines”, to handle hydrogen, as well as any safety requirements or system constraints, upgrades and planning around H2 transportation and storage.

Whitmer had previously been supportive of efforts to set up fuel cell and electrolyser manufacturing in Michigan, with hydrogen seen as a way to future-proof the state’s auto industry.

However, General Motors halted its HYDROTEC programme to develop next-generation fuel cells in October last year, citing a lack of market for H2 vehicles in the US today.

Meanwhile, electrolyser manufacturer Nel has delayed its plans for a $400m factory in Michigan, citing uncertainty around the market for green hydrogen projects in the US.

Source: HydrogenInsight