March 18th, 2009 The National Hydrogen Association held its 1st Congressional briefing for the 111th Congress: "Zero Emissions Hydrogen and Fuel Cells - Key Investments."
The briefing was held in the U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center SVC-203 in front of about 50 Congressional as well as agency staff and various industry stakeholders, and was moderated by Jerome Hinkle, the NHA’s Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs.
Dr. C.E. Thomas opened the briefing with an assessment of the requirements needed to fulfill an 80% reduction of GHG emissions from the transportation sector by 2050 to 1990 levels. He concluded that all available options are needed to meet the reduction targets. In particular, hydrogen technology from a variety of clean, renewable energy sources is required. Russ Keller continued by summarizing the applications for which hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are being commercially adopted in South Carolina today. Jerome Hinkle overviewed recent Federal actions and upcoming policy priorities, and pointed out the heightened importance of these activities as the financial and economic crisis has curbed private credit and investment. Michael Holmes described the R&D and partnership efforts underway at the Energy and Environment Research Center to use biomass and clean coal for hydrogen generation. Dr. Dan Arvizu emphasized the immense progress that hydrogen technologies have made and outlined the large role they will play.
The presentations are available below.
Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who Chairs the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, spoke at the beginning of the briefing, outlining the need for a long-term vision on America’s energy needs and his strong support for implementing hydrogen technologies.
