Calif. Hydrogen Hwy Blueprint

In a setback for the California's Hydrogen Highway initiative, state lawmakers recently approved a measure that would provide $6.5 million toward the project for next year, or about 60 percent of the $10.7 million requested. The money would go toward the construction of up to three hydrogen fueling stations. Some Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about the cost and whether the public or private companies would own the hydrogen stations once they were built, while some Republicans had reservations about the feasibility of the technology.

 

This development comes shortly after the release of the California Hydrogen Highway Network Blueprint Plan, an outline of the state's plan for developing a network of hydrogen filling stations throughout California, with the goal of accelerating the transition to a hydrogen-fueled economy. The first phase of the plan calls for up to 100 hydrogen fueling stations and 2,000 hydrogen vehicles to be in the state by 2010. There are currently 39 hydrogen stations already built or planned in California, leaving up to 61 more to be built by 2010 in order to meet the goals of phase one, and about 90 hydrogen vehicles serving in demonstration projects. To pay for the new stations, estimated at $1 million each, as well as to provide automakers with state grants of $10,000 per hydrogen vehicle, the Blueprint Plan recommends spending $10.7 million per year for the next five years in public funds.