Application for U.S. Department of Energy funding submitted by the Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub Coalition for hydrogen energy project support
The Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub (GLCH) coalition, a partnership between Linde, Energy Harbor, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., GE Aerospace, the University of Toledo, and the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council, has submitted a proposal for $8 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The proposal, valued at $2 billion, aims to establish a clean hydrogen hub serving Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
Linde, a leading global industrial gases and engineering company, is at the helm of this ambitious project. With 2022 sales of $33 billion, Linde serves various end markets such as chemicals & energy, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and mining, and more. The company's product and service portfolio includes production of clean hydrogen, carbon capture systems, life-saving medical oxygen, high-purity & specialty gases for electronics, and state-of-the-art gas processing solutions.
Cleveland-Cliffs, founded in 1847 as a mine operator, is another key player in the coalition. The company, which employs approximately 27,000 people across its operations in the United States and Canada, is the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America and the largest iron ore pellet manufacturer. Cleveland-Cliffs' commitment to reducing GHG emissions by 25% by 2030 from 2017 levels aligns with the goals of the proposed clean hydrogen hub.
The proposed hub will leverage the region's industrial base and renewable energy sources. Given the Great Lakes area's existing investments in energy infrastructure and environmental cleanup initiatives, the hub is expected to benefit local communities through job creation, stakeholder engagement, and workforce partnerships, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
GE Aerospace, a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and systems for commercial and military aircraft, is also a member of the GLCH. With an installed base of over 40,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines, GE Aerospace's expertise in energy-efficient technologies could be instrumental in the hub's success.
Energy Harbor, a provider of carbon-free baseload electricity, committed to ESG principles, is another important partner. The hub aims to help major industries in the Midwest decarbonize and serve the hydrogen needs of the growing mobility market.
The application includes letters of support from local unions, educational institutions, community organizations, economic development organizations, and government officials from Ohio, Michigan, and the federal level.
As of August 2025, the DOE has selected seven clean hydrogen hubs nationwide for federal investment totaling $7 billion to accelerate clean hydrogen development. However, there is no specific update confirming the award or progress for the GLCH coalition’s $2 billion proposal. The DOE's clean hydrogen hubs program aligns with the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap to advance clean hydrogen infrastructure towards producing 10 million metric tonnes annually by 2030.
For more information about Energy Harbor, visit www.energyharbor.com. The GLCH coalition and the DOE are expected to provide more concrete details on project advancement and federal funding status in future announcements.
- Science and technology will play a significant role in the success of the Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub (GLCH), as Linde's expertise in clean hydrogen production, carbon capture systems, and gas processing solutions are key contributions to the project.
- The Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub coalition, which includes partners like Energy Harbor committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, aims to foster a reliable transition to clean energy and support sustainability efforts in the Midwest.
- Financing for the Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub's ambitious plans for job creation, stakeholder engagement, and workforce development in disadvantaged communities will largely depend on the Federal Department of Energy's (DOE) decision regarding the coalition's $2 billion proposal.
