By Associated Press
April 8, 2003, 6:44 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee endorsed a five-year, nearly $3 billion research program Tuesday to develop hydrogen fuel cells and a hydrogen supply system with the goal of making hydrogen-powered cars competitive in showrooms by 2020.
The provision, nearly twice as expensive as a hydrogen initiative urged by President Bush earlier this year, is included in a broad energy bill that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hopes complete by the end of the month.
The proposal calls for increased research into developing hydrogen fuel cells that would both power automobiles and provide electric power, as well as develop technology to produce hydrogen and begin developing a hydrogen distribution system.
The legislation also would require the government to purchase, if possible, a certain number of hydrogen-powered vehicles and electricity from hydrogen sources once they become available.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., sought to expand the program and wanted to authorize more money, $3.8 billion over five years, but his amendment was rejected in a party-line vote, 12-11.
Automakers have committed billions of dollars to developing hydrogen fuel cells, but must still overcome major barriers to make them competitive with the internal combustion engine.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press
April 8, 2003, 6:44 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee endorsed a five-year, nearly $3 billion research program Tuesday to develop hydrogen fuel cells and a hydrogen supply system with the goal of making hydrogen-powered cars competitive in showrooms by 2020.
The provision, nearly twice as expensive as a hydrogen initiative urged by President Bush earlier this year, is included in a broad energy bill that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hopes complete by the end of the month.
The proposal calls for increased research into developing hydrogen fuel cells that would both power automobiles and provide electric power, as well as develop technology to produce hydrogen and begin developing a hydrogen distribution system.
The legislation also would require the government to purchase, if possible, a certain number of hydrogen-powered vehicles and electricity from hydrogen sources once they become available.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., sought to expand the program and wanted to authorize more money, $3.8 billion over five years, but his amendment was rejected in a party-line vote, 12-11.
Automakers have committed billions of dollars to developing hydrogen fuel cells, but must still overcome major barriers to make them competitive with the internal combustion engine.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press
