Michigan Allocates $7.5 Million for Geologic Hydrogen Research
The Michigan Infrastructure Office announced a $7.5 million investment on August 20, 2026, to explore geologic hydrogen as a potential clean energy source. This funding is part of the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, aimed at assessing the feasibility of geologic hydrogen beneath the state.
The initiative, directed by Executive Directive 2026-1 signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, seeks to evaluate the potential of geologic hydrogen to decarbonize industries such as transportation. The directive outlines a comprehensive strategy involving regulatory readiness, workforce planning, and infrastructure evaluation.
Key components of the initiative include research and development in collaboration with the Department of Energy, national labs, universities, and private-sector partners. The project will involve subsurface mapping, geological characterization, and test well drilling to determine the commercial viability of hydrogen deposits.
Michigan's geological formations, particularly the Midcontinent Rift and Michigan Basin, make it a promising candidate for natural hydrogen accumulations. Kevin Mehren, Director of the MIO, emphasized the importance of proving the presence and recoverability of hydrogen, describing it as a significant decarbonization tool.
The University of Michigan's MI Hydrogen collaborative, led by Brian Ellis, is a key research partner in this initiative. The project builds on a 2025 U.S. Geological Survey study that identified Michigan as a region with high geologic hydrogen potential.