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End Dependence Day: A Notable By Patrick Meyer
Wednesday, 28 June 2005 — The U.S. House of Representatives Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus on 28 June hosted its “Race to Energy End Dependence Day” event on Capitol Hill. The event kicks off the newly formed Caucus, a bi-partisan group started by Representatives Charlie Dent (R-PA), Bob Inglis (R-SC), John Larson (D-CT) and Albert Wynn (D-MD). With world oil prices recently passing 60 dollars per barrel, the Caucus could not have chosen a better time to advocate their views of energy independence. By far, the spotlight of End Dependence Day was the demonstration of Intelligent Energy’s ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle). The ENV bike features Intelligent Energy’s Core fuel cell, which is completely and easily detachable from the bike. The bike can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour with a range of just over 100 miles. According to an Intelligent Energy representative, “ENVs will be available to the public within the next year.” The two ENVs were accompanied by a GM HydroGen3 fuel cell vehicle, the recently introduced military-grade fuel cell Chevrolet Silverado, and a mock hydrogen refueling station. Rep. Wynn opened the press conference by stating that, “Now is the time to push for a clean, more efficient, hydrogen economy.” The Representatives are well aware of the criticisms of the “hydrogen economy”, specifically surrounding the issues of the hydrogen production processes. Wynn acknowledged this as a hurtle that must be overcome and pointed out that “current electrolysis technologies are inefficient”. He stated that the future lies in obtaining “hydrogen from nuclear, wind, and solar” energy sources to overcome difficulties of hydrogen production. Rep. Dent tackled issues of consumer-friendliness stating that, “Refueling your hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will not be much different than refueling your conventional vehicle with gasoline.” Addressing concerns of possible hydrogen investors, Dent stated that we must “establish uniform codes and standards so that those who invest in fuel cell technology know the rules of the road.” One of the strongest arguments supporting the mainstreaming of hydrogen fuel cell technology is the opportunity it may provide for America to export a new, advanced technology to the rest of the world. Rep. Larson acknowledged this point and maintained that America has the opportunity to become “the leading exporter” of fuel cell technology, “especially to developing nations.” Addressing the possible doubters, Rep. Inglis concluded by insisting that, “This is not science fiction”, it is reality. He insisted that now is the time to act, comparing the current state of the hydrogen market to the political climate that fueled the Manhattan Project, the rapid construction of the Pentagon, and the international competition spurred by the launch of Sputnik. IEEE-USA has long been a supporter of alternative energy and advanced fuel development. On 17 March, IEEE-USA and the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS) hosted a forum on Capitol Hill at which representatives of Congress, and industry and environmental organizations laid out a strategy for reducing dependency on foreign oil, and stressed the need for the United States to proactively ensure energy independency. At the forum, Paul Werbos, Program Director of the National Science Foundation, and Member of the IEEE-USA Energy Policy Committee advocated the further development of alternative fuel vehicles, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, stating that “clearly we need to take very strong action” to address energy independency. He argued that it has become “a matter of life and death.” Tuesday’s End Dependence Day event is a serious step in the right direction to obtain the attention of Capitol Hill and the civilian population, but it is a small step in the grand spectrum of advancement. A serious increase in advocating is needed in the coming months, and years, and the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus has the backing and the means to push the hydrogen fuel cell industry into the next phase to ensure energy independence for generations to come. Watch out: the “hydrogen economy” may be at the nation’s doorstep faster than one may think. Story and
pictures by Patrick Meyer. About the Author:
Patrick Meyer holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Energy Policy from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He is currently working as a summer 2005 intern with IEEE-USA's Energy Policy Committee. As part of the internship, he will be attending all energy-, electricity-, and resource-related hearings on Capitol Hill and will provide summaries of each hearing on this website. Patrick will be returning to RIT in September to obtain his Masters of Science in Science, Technology, and Public Policy. | Top of Page | Electric Reliability | Priority Issues | Policy | Legislative Action Center | IEEE-USA | Last Updated:
10 July 2009 Permission to copy granted for non-commercial uses with appropriate attribution. |
