Minnesota and North Dakota working to create a nearly $3 billion clean Hydrogen Hub system

(St. Paul, MN) -- The U.S. Department of Energy is scheduled to send millions of dollars to Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Montana as part of its hydrogen hubs initiative.  

Minnesota Governor Walz announced late last week that the three states will partner with Xcel Energy to form the Heartland Hydrogen Hub. The federal government will provide up to $925 million in funding for the initiative, which is designed to create a regional hydrogen network accessible to current and future users.

The regional hubs will create networks of clean and low-carbon hydrogen, decarbonizing regional supply chains, and creating clean energy jobs across 

“This is a major investment in Minnesota and the region’s economy and vote of confidence in our ability to innovate,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesota is ready to meet the changing needs of our energy, transportation, and agriculture industries. By developing clean hydrogen, we can reduce emissions and mitigate climate impacts for future generations.”

Xcel Energy has promised to provide up to $2 billion in private funding to help the project over the next decade. Governor Walz says the initiative could create more than 3,000 jobs during construction and another 700 permanent jobs after the facility is built.

Part of the funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law into 2021 under the Biden administration. A total of $8 billion was dedicated within the law to fund the Clean Hydrogen Hubs.