The Ohio-based Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Partnership says it has filed initial paperwork to seek federal funding from the US Department of Energy to develop a regional hydrogen hub, Kallanish reports.

The new industry-led coalition intends to transition Midwest manufacturing, mobility, power generation, and technology operators away from greenhouse gases to hydrogen. The partnership includes Linde, Energy Harbor, GE Aerospace, Cleveland-Cliffs, Toledo-based glass manufacturers, and the University of Toledo. It has filed a concept paper, the first step in the DOE application process.

Under the Great Lakes’ plan, low-carbon hydrogen would be produced at Energy Harbor’s Davis-Besse nuclear plant east of Toledo, Ohio, on Lake Erie. It would largely be used in Ohio and Michigan.

The region is ideal for establishing a hydrogen hub due to ample nuclear power, major highways, a large number of manufacturing and technology companies, Great Lakes maritime shipping, and a highly skilled work force, supporters say. More than 40 groups and institutions are supporting the proposal.

The DOE has allocated $8 billion of infrastructure funding to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs across the United States. Other groups have announced similar plans to seek the DOE funds.