Michigan Bets on Underground Hydrogen for Clean Energy

Michigan is betting big on what might be hiding under its feet: naturally occurring hydrogen gas that could fuel the state for generations while producing zero emissions.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the new exploration initiative at the Detroit Auto Show on January 15. The plan directs state agencies to assess how Michigan can locate and access geologic hydrogen, a clean fuel that releases only water when burned.

The timing couldn't be better. Scientists just released the first national map showing where underground hydrogen is most likely to exist, and Michigan's unique geology puts it at the top of the list.

Unlike hydrogen made today (which requires fossil fuels and creates pollution), geologic hydrogen forms naturally underground. The discovery of nearly pure hydrogen at a well in West Africa sparked a global race to find more, with researchers now believing these deposits exist worldwide in places previously overlooked.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates underground hydrogen could meet humanity's projected energy needs for thousands of years. Even if only 2% proves accessible, that would provide twice the energy of all proven natural gas reserves on Earth.

Michigan has already found hydrogen deposits near Ann Arbor and Belleville among its 60,000 oil and gas boreholes. But serious exploration hasn't started yet, and that's what Whitmer wants to change.

Her executive directive requires reports by April 2026 on everything from permitting frameworks to pipeline suitability for hydrogen transport. Michigan State University has developed a research proposal to locate specific deposits, waiting for the green light to begin.

The Ripple Effect

If Michigan strikes hydrogen gold, the benefits extend far beyond the state. Rural communities could see an economic boom from drilling operations and new jobs. Heavy industries like steelmaking and cement production, which struggle to eliminate emissions, would gain a clean alternative. The hydrogen could also power giant batteries to store renewable energy for the grid.

Countries from France to Australia are already drilling exploratory wells. Nebraska drilled America's first geologic hydrogen borehole in 2019. Michigan now wants to lead the domestic race.

Judd Herzer, MSU's director of mobility research and innovation, says the governor's directive signals Michigan's commitment to playing a leading role. State officials are calling it a potential "new gold rush" that could unlock profits, jobs, and a pathway to decarbonize polluting industries.

The science is still early, and challenges around transporting and storing hydrogen remain. But Whitmer is optimistic about assessing what's possible in a state already known for innovation and natural resources.

Michigan's clean energy future might not require looking to the sky for wind and sun alone. The answer could be right beneath everyone's feet, waiting to be tapped.