Whitmer signs directive to explore geologic hydrogen as energy source

By Craig Mauger, Carol Thompson, The Detroit Information

Lansing – Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an government directive Thursday that she mentioned would assist discover geological hydrogen as a brand new power supply in Michigan, requiring state companies to plan for wanted infrastructure and coverage adjustments.

Whitmer introduced the initiative throughout a speech on the Detroit Auto Present, saying that if Michigan’s hydrogen reserves are confirmed to be secure and viable, they may result in a “super financial growth, creating jobs, reducing prices and lowering our dependence on international gas.”

The directive, her first of 2026, requires the Division of Pure Sources to organize a report on any authorized limitations to leasing “underground state rights” for hydrogen exploration, and the Michigan Public Service Fee to organize a report on crucial infrastructure upgrades.

“The directive may make us a nationwide chief on this space,” Whitmer mentioned Thursday, in line with her ready remarks for the occasion. “We’re already seeing numerous curiosity in Michigan as a result of now we have extra potential reserves underneath our toes than every other state.”

In accordance with the directive, reviews from authorities companies have to be submitted by April 1. The Division of Atmosphere, Nice Lakes and Vitality should file a file on the “authorized and regulatory authority to authorize geological hydrogen exploration” and any limitations in present legislation.

An announcement from the governor’s workplace described geological hydrogen as “a pure power supply with the potential to function a gas supply on a scale and at a worth aggressive with fossil fuels.” In accordance with the US Geological Survey, hydrogen releases water when burned, whereas petroleum and different fossil fuels launch planet-warming gases similar to carbon dioxide.

The USGS launched a report final yr exhibiting that Michigan might be wealthy in geological hydrogen that might be tapped as gas. The state wants three parts for hydrogen accumulation, the report’s authors mentioned: a supply for hydrogen technology, porous reservoirs that retailer hydrogen and seals to stop hydrogen from leaking.

The four-page directive that Whitmer signed mentioned Michigan may “generate billions of {dollars} in new financial exercise by tapping right into a fraction of the U.S. hydrogen financial system.”

Within the assertion from the governor’s workplace, Judd Herzer, director of mobility analysis and innovation at Michigan State College, mentioned Whitmer’s directive sends a sign that Michigan is severe about main in geological hydrogen.

“With the appropriate coordination amongst authorities companies, analysis establishments and the non-public sector, geological hydrogen can shortly transfer from scientific promise to sensible utility, supporting hydrogen-powered mobility, clear power independence and the superior manufacturing capabilities that may outline Michigan’s subsequent period of innovation,” Herzer mentioned.

On the federal degree, the U.S. Division of Vitality is funding ongoing analysis into secure hydrogen dealing with and storage practices, in line with the division’s web site.

Geologists predict that Michigan is wealthy in hydrogen

Exploration of underground hydrogen storage websites is in its early phases, USGS geologists mentioned of their report revealed final yr. Discovering underground hydrogen storage websites has historically been thought of an issue or went unreported as a result of firms have been sometimes chasing oil and didn’t have the assets to measure hydrogen.

Geologists used a number of information units masking the 48 contiguous states to find out the place hydrogen reserves have been doubtless, mentioned Geoffrey Ellis, a USGS geochemist on the Central Vitality Sources Science Middle and co-author of the report. He mentioned geologists must do extra targeted work to raised perceive Michigan’s reserves.

“The truth that a state like Michigan has a lot curiosity is nice,” Ellis mentioned. “Hopefully we are able to work with the (geological) state survey and do this form of effort.”

Sara Ryker, USGS affiliate director for power and minerals, described the report as “stimulating” when it was launched in January 2025.

“For many years, the traditional knowledge was that naturally occurring hydrogen was not accumulating in enough portions for use for power functions,” Ryker mentioned in 2025. “This map is tantalizing as a result of it reveals that a number of elements of the US may nonetheless have an underground supply of hydrogen.”

The USGS report sparked curiosity in recovering hydrogen from the subsurface reasonably than making hydrogen by splitting molecules similar to water, mentioned Todd Allen, affiliate professor for analysis on the College of Michigan School of Engineering.

Though the report reveals what federal geologists imagine are the very best locations to search out geological hydrogen provides, there hasn’t been a lot exploratory drilling to find out whether or not the geologists’ predictions are right, Allen mentioned.

“To a big extent it’s unknown,” he mentioned. “I believe the curiosity within the state of Michigan is that the USGS map mentioned we must always have so much.”

It might be a giant drawback for Michigan if geologists transform proper and the state has massive quantities of hydrogen out there to recuperate, he mentioned.

Hydrogen gas cells can energy heavy automobiles similar to ships and vans. Some clear power advocates see it as a solution to decarbonize heavy transportation and transport, in addition to some heavy industries like steelmaking, which historically depend on coal to energy furnaces.

Hydrogen gas is normally made by separating molecules that include hydrogen, for instance by eradicating the H₂ from H₂O.

“If we may get hydrogen out of the bottom, it could be less expensive,” says Allen. “If folks can recuperate geological hydrogen on the identical charge as pure gasoline, it could be a lot, less expensive (than different sources of hydrogen) and it could be a lot, a lot simpler to commercialize it.”

Separating hydrogen requires numerous electrical energy and is typically completed with the assistance of pure gasoline, which releases fossil fuels, that are costly and costly negates some of the climate benefits of hydrogen. Extracting hydrogen from the bottom is also a win for the local weather, Allen mentioned, as a result of it does not require electrical energy.

Throughout a speech in Detroit on Tuesday, Republican President Donald Trump referred to hydrogen and appeared to joke — as he has usually completed throughout earlier marketing campaign stops in Michigan — that he would “go” on hydrogen’s use to energy vehicles.

“I hear it is not testing very effectively,” Trump mentioned. “It is effective, except there’s an explosion, you then’re gone.”

Beneath former President Joe Biden, the U.S. Division of Vitality funded regional hydrogen hubs to review and produce hydrogen gas and develop a provide chain for its use. Michigan is a part of one such hub, the Midwest Alliance for Clear Hydrogen, often called MachH2 Starting in 2023, the country is expected to receive up to $1 billion in federal funding.

The hub packages are “on standby,” Allen mentioned. Most have been within the planning phases when Trump took workplace and had not but acquired a lot of their promised funds, in line with Allen.

“To a big extent, I believe the hubs are simply caught,” Allen mentioned. “There’s not numerous motion. I believe it is as a result of the federal government is not shifting to offer the large funding.”

Geological hydrogen could also be extra engaging to the Trump administration as a result of it requires a recognized course of for extracting assets from the subsurface, very similar to fracking pure gasoline or drilling for oil, Allen mentioned.

“It might be a (good) factor total, a great, helpful solution to energy fashionable society, nevertheless it is also that the federal authorities is shifting its focus,” Allen mentioned. “It is an extension of what we all know tips on how to do.”

Governor seeks new North American commerce settlement

Whitmer’s speech on the auto present Thursday targeted on tariffs, Michigan’s financial system and a few of her targets for her ultimate yr because the state’s governor. She can’t stand for re-election this fall as a consequence of time period limits.

She known as on the Trump administration to not abandon the United States-Mexico-Canada commerce deal, which is due for overview this yr.

“As an alternative, we have to construct on the very best elements and make it even higher,” Whitmer mentioned, in line with her ready remarks. “The USMCA has a few of the strictest auto rules of any free commerce settlement on the earth.

“It raised wages for employees in all three nations and assured extra elements have been made within the U.S. Is it good? ​​No. However with out our allies, we do not stand an opportunity.”

The USMCA started in 2020, throughout Trump’s first time period within the White Home. However in current days he has performed it down. Throughout his journey to Michigan on Tuesday, he known as it “not relevant.”

Whitmer additionally known as on the Legislature on Thursday to get a brand new state finances to its desk by June 30.

“With a lot uncertainty, we owe it to native governments, colleges and enterprise leaders to undertake a clear, well timed finances,” Whitmer mentioned. “I am assured we are able to get it completed.”

Final yr, lawmakers and Whitmer didn’t go the finances approved until after the constitutional deadline of October 1.