The Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations has awarded $22.2 million in initial federal funding to the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen, known as MachH2, to support the development of a regional hydrogen hub in the Midwest. This hub, based in Chicago, is part of a federal initiative to promote clean energy projects and could potentially receive up to $1 billion in total funding. The focus of the hub is on clean hydrogen production for various sectors such as transportation, aviation, and manufacturing. The sole Hoosier project at BP in northwest Indiana is working on hydrogen-related technology to benefit its refinery in Whiting. The funded projects aim to produce over 1,000 metric tons per day of clean hydrogen and create approximately 12,000 construction jobs in states like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan. The initiative also includes a community benefits package to ensure equitable energy distribution. Overall, the funding and support for clean hydrogen production in the Midwest are seen as a positive step towards job creation, economic growth, and innovation in the region.