Three Iowa energy projects — and their communities — stand to benefit from a proposed green hydrogen hub seeking $1 billion in federal money.

The Nebraska Public Power District, a publicly owned state utility, would take the lead in a collaboration among Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri, but five projects — two in Nebraska and three in Iowa — would "produce and consume clean hydrogen" as part of the Mid-Continent Clean Hydrogen Hub, or MCH2.

"MCH2 aims to bring over $4 billion in new economic development to the region through clean energy manufacturing while creating opportunities for skilled training and ensuring long-term, well-paying employment," according to a summary of the grant application submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy earlier this month.