Why Kansas, Nebraska, and the Central Plains may be the best hydrogen opportunity in the country (Not about Wind Farms)
Gang, this is my 3rd article and I hope to receive more similarly thoughtful feedback.
I've been tracking hydrogen development across my region (KS, NE, MO, CO, OK) and wrote up my take on Central Plains Hydrogen.
The short version: most hydrogen policy focuses on "green hydrogen," employing electrolysis powered by wind and solar. But that framing misses a more interesting story happening right now in the heartland:
- Geologic (natural) hydrogen is being actively explored in Kansas. "Hydrogen wildcatters" are drilling exploratory wells in the Midcontinent Rift. If commercially viable, Kansas could be first to extract naturally occurring subsurface H2. No electrolyzer required.
- MCH2 (Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri) is building a multi-state hydrogen value chain targeting heavy industry, agriculture, and transportation.
- Oklahoma has salt cavern storage, existing pipeline infrastructure, and an energy-literate workforce that maps directly to hydrogen logistics.
- HARVEST Hydrogen Hub in Kansas is targeting ag applications such as tractors, grain dryers, ammonia production.
None of these drivers are certain, of course. And many require unsustainable subsidies. BUT the momentum is slowly increasing.
Plus, I am personally skeptical of the green-hydrogen-only narrative. The renewable-exclusive mandate requires massive new infrastructure investment even before hydrogen can scale, which feels backwards if hydrogen is the actual goal. Or is the goal just the manipulation of public policy? Hmmmm...
The article goes deeper on the economics, the regional fit, and why I think the Central Plains could become the nation's hydrogen heartland.
https://midwest-sustainable-innovations.com/central-plains-hydrogen/
I welcome all comments. Please share your expertise!
