Michigan moves to develop geologic hydrogen industry

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Directive No. 2026-1 to prepare state agencies to explore and possibly commercialize geologic hydrogen, with multiple reports due by April 1. The order directs reviews of legal, technical, infrastructure, workforce and environmental issues tied to exploration, production, transportation and storage.

Michigan has issued an executive directive to begin planning for exploration and potential development of geologic hydrogen beneath the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Directive No. 2026-1, called the Geologic Hydrogen Exploration and Preparedness Initiative. The order asks state agencies to assess legal, technical and infrastructure needs and to evaluate environmental and workforce implications. The initiative references recent U.S. Geological Survey mapping and positions geologic hydrogen as a possible low‑carbon energy resource with economic potential. Action items and deadlines: - Several state agencies must submit reports to the governor’s office by April 1 under the directive. - The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy must review existing laws and regulations for exploration, production, transportation and storage, and note any legal impediments; deliverables include technical research, emissions and pollutant assessments, and evaluation of using existing oil and gas wells and related infrastructure, including safety considerations. - The Department of Natural Resources must report on legal barriers to leasing state-owned subsurface rights for hydrogen exploration and production and identify needed policy or permitting changes. - The Michigan Infrastructure Office must assess infrastructure needs and forecast potential business creation tied to geologic hydrogen development. - The directive cites a USGS mapping methodology and the Midcontinent Rift as areas of potential geologic hydrogen, and it includes statements about possible economic outcomes, such as a claim that geologic hydrogen could, if commercially viable, generate tens of millions of dollars annually in direct state revenue and that the broader U.S. hydrogen economy is projected to reach tens of billions of dollars. Summary: The directive creates a coordinated, time‑limited process for state agencies to clarify legal, technical and infrastructure pathways for geologic hydrogen exploration and potential development. Agencies will deliver a set of reports by April 1 that will inform any identified regulatory or policy changes and further planning. The immediate next step is the completion and review of those reports. Undetermined at this time.