DICKINSON — TC Energy and Marathon Petroleum opened their doors for an open house, giving locals a sneak peek into the proposed Prairie Horizon Hydrogen project. The event, staged ahead of a public special commission meeting, aimed to inform residents of the proffered hydrogen facility near the existing Marathon Petroleum site in southwest Dickinson.

Billed as a small, community-focused gathering, the open house aimed to move beyond corporate jargon. It provided a stage for open dialogue between TC Energy, Marathon Petroleum and Dickinson locals, particularly those whose homes or lands will neighbor the proposed facility. Indigenous tribes were also given a seat at the table, adding another layer to the inclusive community engagement effort.

No question was off-limits as residents delved into a wide array of topics, ranging from the nitty-gritty details of facility operations to the broader strokes of what low-carbon initiatives mean for North Dakota. Especially under the microscope were potential perks for the state’s agricultural sector — a cornerstone of the local economy — and specific safety protocols in place.

Safety remains at the forefront of the Prairie Horizon Hydrogen project, especially for those who reside in close proximity to the planned facility. Speaking with the Dickinson Press, Zachary Thobe, a Senior Business Development Representative for Marathon Petroleum, emphasized this aspect, saying, “Safety is the number one core value for Marathon and our partner TC. Any projects that we develop, safety is very important for our employee base and the community in which we operate. We go through rigor in terms of project development, modeling safety aspects, engineering techniques, [and] also operational requirements.”

TC Energy and Marathon Petroleum’s initial open house was a formal conversation with the community. As the project continues, the public can provide feedback through permits that may require public input or by contacting them via the public the proposed

project’s website

.

In layman’s terms, the proposed facility aims to be a game-changer in producing hydrogen and ammonia. These aren’t just chemical terms; they’re key players in the industrial and agricultural fields, where eco-friendly options are becoming the order of the day. One big takeaway? The project could usher in low-carbon fertilizers, making large-scale farming easier on the planet.

This is a project with tendrils reaching beyond state lines. The initiative has already earned a thumbs-up from Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin governors. On a micro-level, Xcel Energy has plans to turn regional wind into clean hydrogen, feeding into the broader low-carbon aspirations of the project.

Eyes are now on the U.S. Department of Energy, which could potentially funnel funding into the Prairie Horizon Hydrogen project through its Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Program. This is no small pocket change; up to $7 billion is set aside to kickstart regional clean hydrogen hubs nationwide. The dollars and cents for this originate from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, giving the project a legal and financial foothold.

Regarding the project’s current standing in obtaining financial backing, Thobe shed light on their involvement in the U.S. Department of Energy’s grant program. “This was a program afforded through the bipartisan infrastructure law, in which the DOE would appropriate up to $8 billion for establishing regional clean hydrogen hubs,” he explained. He added that they’ve crossed several milestones, including concept paper submission and a rigorous review process. “The next step is the formal award notification from the DOE, and per their guidance, they’ve been forecasting the fall of 2023,” Thobe disclosed.

TC Energy and Marathon Petroleum are breathing new life into community engagement through their open platform for candid discussion. If their proposals are realized, Dickinson may become a leader in the movement toward low-carbon energy.

Manny is a journalist with a diverse background in communications. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he earned his degree in the DFW area before venturing to New York City. There he worked as an ethnic media reporter, covering local issues and immigration news. A long history of dedication to sensitive reporting, Manny’s journalistic journey has led him to Dickinson where he takes on the role of a hard news reporter.