Federal funds to boost Michigan hydrogen production—and build ‘Truck Stop of the Future’

More than $22 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is set to boost hydrogen production in Michigan. 

MICHIGAN—A federal grant awarded this week through the US Department of Energy is set to advance the next phase of planning and development to help expand the production, distribution, and use of hydrogen-powered trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles in Michigan. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday announced that the Midwest Alliance for Clean Energy—a Michigan-backed clean hydrogen hub project—received $22.2 million in federal grant funding, which will be used to help create and expand hydrogen production facilities in both Ypsilanti and Flint, as well as build a hydrogen-powered “Truck Stop of the Future” in Detroit.

“Michigan will lead the future of clean energy and advanced manufacturing,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We will produce more American energy using American workers, create tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs, and bring critical supply chains home from overseas.”

Michigan was among about a dozen states picked to receive up to $1 billion in federal funds last year to accelerate the development of hydrogen-powered transportation systems. All told, the regional project is also set to create about 12,000 jobs—many of which could land in Michigan.

The overall project is broken down into phases—with the first phase expected to last up to 18 months and mainly involve planning, design, development, and community engagement.

“We’ve passed new laws to help lower costs for families and invest in clean energy projects across Michigan,” US Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) said in a statement announcing the funding this week. “By investing in clean energy, we are putting Michiganders to work in good-paying manufacturing jobs, including expanding hydrogen projects in Flint, and growing our economy.” 

Preliminary plans call for constructing a new hydrogen production facility at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti, as well as expanding an existing facility operated by the Flint Mass Transit Authority—both of which could help expand the regional hydrogen supply chain.

State officials are also planning to use the federal funds to build a new refueling station for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles near the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions (namely from truckers) by up to 8,250 tons a year.

In a release, US Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) called the project a “game changer.”

“Hydrogen is one of the most promising technologies in the transition to a clean energy future,” Dingell said. “I’m proud to have helped secure these funds in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

Research shows that replacing diesel in the trucking sector could significantly reduce carbon emissions—the equivalent of removing 280,000 gas-powered cars from the road in one year. State officials said developing the market for hydrogen fuel could also be a boon for the state’s economy, leading to the creation of an estimated 8,400 new jobs in Michigan by 2035.

The projects will likely hinge on additional federal funding as they take shape. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to repeal several clean energy initiatives—which could potentially put these projects (and others like them) in jeopardy when Trump takes office in 2025.

READ MORE: Clean energy investments turn Michigan into ‘manufacturing powerhouse’

For the latest Michigan news, follow The ‘Gander on Twitter.

Follow Political Correspondent Kyle Kaminski here.