Governors of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri throw collective support behind regional ‘hydrogen hub’ bid

LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) — Pleasure is mounting amongst state leaders over the chance that Nebraska and two neighboring states might be named a regional “hydrogen hub,” a designation that may open a door to greater than $1 billion in federal funds for clear vitality tasks.

Gov. Jim Pillen issued a press release Thursday and included feedback from the highest state officers in Iowa and Missouri, who’ve joined with him in an settlement laying a framework for the three-state hub.

“This partnership will assist develop Nebraska and the Midwest’s financial system by opening the pathway for billions of {dollars} of recent funding into our neighborhood and a whole bunch of recent, good-paying jobs,” Pillen stated. “This hydrogen hub as soon as once more reveals Nebraska’s dedication to renewable vitality and our management in bettering our nation’s vitality safety.” 

The governors signed the memorandum of understanding earlier this month for the Mid-Continent Clear Hydrogen Hub, or MCH2. Beneath that title, the trio submitted a grant utility to the U.S. Division of Vitality, which is to disburse a complete of about $8 million for as much as 10 regional hydrogen hubs.

Hub funding was put aside within the 2021 Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act; hubs are to supply matching {dollars}.

A extra formal settlement later would set forth administration and different particulars if MCH2 have been chosen.

Additionally this week, Nebraska lawmakers gave first-round approval to a invoice geared toward strengthening efforts to turn into a hub. Legislative Invoice 565, sponsored by State Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, seeks $500,000 in state funds over two years to supply grants for extra engineering and modeling work.

As well as, lawmakers this week superior a proposal to second-round debate that may create a piece group to find out workforce coaching wants of the nuclear and hydrogen industries.

Pillen and his Iowa and Missouri counterparts stated within the settlement that the states are uniquely certified and located centrally to function a regional hub, given the presence of wind, photo voltaic, biomass, nuclear, agricultural and different vitality sources.

They cited world-leading laboratories and tutorial establishments, and oil and early-stage private and non-private hydrogen financial system growth initiatives.

“Collectively we’ve got a possibility to open new markets for agriculture whereas strengthening our dedication to American-made renewable vitality,” stated Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Because the areas’ main states, we perceive the ability of coming collectively to create modern options that develop our economies for the long run.”

Stated Missouri Gov. Mike Parson: “Missouri and the Midwest take pleasure in a various vitality portfolio that may solely be strengthened by this clear hydrogen hub partnership.” 

The hub designation is anticipated to assist communities by drawing extra clear vitality investments and creating good-paying jobs and higher vitality safety.

The MCH2 workforce famous present regional tasks with room for progress. For instance, in Nebraska, it stated that Werner Enterprises has dedicated to utilizing new hydrogen-fueled semi-trucks and Monolith Supplies is increasing its Hallam carbon black facility.

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