Pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and reforming of the pyroligneous oils are being studied as a strategy for producing hydrogen. A process of this nature has the potential to be cost competitive with conventional means of producing hydrogen. We propose a regionalized system of hydrogen production, where small- and medium-sized pyrolysis units (< 500 Mg/day) provide bio-oil to a central reforming unit to be catalytically converted to H-2 and CO2. Thermodynamic modeling of the major constituents of the bio-oil has shown that reforming is possible within a wide range of temperatures and steam-to-carbon ratios. In addition, screening tests aimed at catalytic reforming of model compounds to hydrogen using Ni-based catalysts have achieved essentially complete conversion to Ha. Existing data on the catalytic reforming of oxygenates have been studied to guide catalyst selection. A process diagram for the pyrolysis and reforming operations is discussed, as are initial production cost estimates. A window of opportunity clearly exists if the bio-oil is first refined to yield valuable oxygenates so that only a residual fraction is used for hydrogen production.