10.13.23

Following Hoeven Efforts, DOE Awards up to $925 Million to EERC-Led Partnership to Develop Hydrogen Hub

$500 Million of Award Will Be Used at Marathon Renewable Diesel Facility for CCUS, Hydrogen Production & Local Fertilizer Supply for ND Farmers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a grant of up to $925 million to a partnership led by the University of North Dakota (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) for the development of the Heartland Hydrogen Hub. Hoeven worked to advance the EERC’s application on behalf of this multi-state project, which will connect hydrogen facilities across the region to meet existing demand for hydrogen and support growth in emerging markets. The senator’s efforts include bringing the Energy Secretary to North Dakota to see the EERC firsthand and working to secure letters of recommendation from U.S. Senators in Montana and Minnesota in support of the project. Under the award, the EERC will:

  • Partner with companies, including Marathon, TC Energy and Xcel Energy, to advance hydrogen projects.
  • Leverage private sector investment to bring up to $5 billion in investment to the project region in total.
  • Use $500 million of the award at the Marathon renewable diesel facility in Dickinson for the implementation of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) as well as hydrogen and fertilizer production.
    • Marathon and TC Energy will contribute $1.5 billion toward this effort, making this a $2 billion investment in the facility.
    • The facility utilizes feed from the new ADM soybean crushing facility in Spiritwood, benefitting the state’s agriculture producers.
    • The hydrogen will be used to produce lower-cost fertilizers for North Dakota farmers, providing a local supply rather than relying on imports.

“This new venture, led by the EERC, will bring up to $5 billion in investment into our energy producers in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. This includes a $2 billion project benefitting the Marathon renewable diesel facility, which not only supports energy production, but expands the market for our soybean producers. That’s because we’ve tied in the ADM crush plant at Spiritwood, which provides feedstock to the Dickinson refinery, while also utilizing CCUS to provide low-carbon fuel for the West coast,” said Hoeven. “At the same time, the hydrogen produced will be used for urea and anhydrous ammonia, providing lower-cost fertilizers from a local source for our farmers instead of importing it from Malaysia. This project is about continuing to do all we can to further strengthen and diversify North Dakota’s role as an ag and energy powerhouse for our nation.”

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