How Iowa’s Geology Could Power the Future

Beneath Iowa’s farmland, an unexpected energy story may be unfolding. In this episode, I explore the emerging potential of geological hydrogen—a naturally occurring resource produced when water reacts with certain underground rock formations such as basalt.

If exploration efforts can overcome the challenges of scale and cost, this underground hydrogen could provide a local, lower-carbon source of energy for fertilizer production, transportation fuel, and grid storage. Combined with Iowa’s vast wind and growing solar capacity, the opportunity could reshape both regional energy systems and agricultural economics. It’s a fascinating intersection of geology, clean energy innovation, and the future of farming in the Hawkeye State.