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FYI
The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News
Number 69: June 4, 2003

Momentum Builds on Hydrogen Energy Research

There is growing consensus among House and Senate members and the
Bush Administration that the United States should move toward the
use of hydrogen as an energy carrier, particularly in the
transportation sector.  Recent hearings revealed significant support
for increased spending for federally-sponsored research on hydrogen
energy, with this support cutting across political and ideological
lines.

It is unusual to hear witnesses from interests as wide-ranging as
General Motors and the Union of Concerned Scientists finding common
ground on an environmental and energy issue.  That was clearly
evident at a May 7 hearing by the Senate Subcommittee on Science,
Transportation and Space.  Subcommittee Chairman Sam Brownback
(R-KS) remarked on the rare level of consensus at the witness
table,  mirrored in many respects on the other side of the dais.
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) described the Administration's position
on hydrogen energy as "a breath of fresh air," echoing in spirit
many of Brownback's earlier remarks.  Brownback called the research
"incredibly important," remarking that it will not be necessary to
sacrifice either the environment or the economy.  Touching on two
themes running through both hearings, Brownback cautioned that
"there are many miles [to go] before we sleep," adding that the
"commitment must be unwavering" to advancing hydrogen research.
Dorgan concluded his remarks by stating, "[President Bush said]
let's move in this direction.  I say you bet."

OSTP Director John Marburger told the subcommittee that "Our
ultimate goal is a petroleum-free, emission-free energy future.  The
President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, led by the Department of
Energy, proposes $1.2 billion for research over five years
(including $181.7 million in the FY 2004 budget request) to overcome
the key technology hurdles to enable a hydrogen-based economy."
There are many such hurdles, as were outlined by DOE Assistant
Secretary David Garman in his testimony.  Garman described a series
of R&D and commercialization targets, ranging from mass-market
penetration of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles  beginning in 2020 to the
transition to a full hydrogen economy by 2040.   He repeated
President  Bush's remarks in this year's State of the Union address
that "our scientists and engineers will overcome obstacles to taking
these cars from laboratory to showroom, so that the first car driven
by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen and pollution
free."  Research is also supported by the Department of
Transportation, EPA, DOD, Department of Commerce, NSF, USDA, and
NASA.

These sentiments were repeated in a May 20 hearing by the House
Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.  Chaired by Rep. Joe Barton
(R-TX), the witnesses at this hearing expressed enthusiasm for
hydrogen energy.  Byron McCormick of General Motors Corporation
declared "Now is the time for the U.S. government and U.S. industry
to create a partnership that can lead the world in the charge to
achieve this vision. . . .  We were given one mandate by our
management: Take the automobile out of the environmental debate."

At both hearings there was considerable discussion about the need to
capture carbon emissions  in the production of an emissions-free
hydrogen supply, and about the appropriate level of government
funding.  Garman's comments seemed to summarize the thinking of many
at these hearings when he said, "This is the only technology we know
of that can change the game," calling the promise of hydrogen energy
the "brass ring."

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Richard M. Jones
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi{at}aip.org    http://www.aip.org/gov
(301) 209-3094
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