Originally published January 31 2005
New York state patronizing alternative fuels in pilot programs
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The state of New York is soliciting proposals from companies to advance the development of a hydrogen economy in New York state. The state is providing grants in a number of areas, including research, code review, and production and distribution of hydrogen fuel. The state has also ordered that its light-duty vehicle fleet be 100% non-gasoline-fueled by 2010.
State officials and executives of technology companies gathered behind the Office of General Services building to witness a fueling of the newest addition to New York State's fleet -- a fuel-cell car that runs on hydrogen gas.
The New York State Energy Research Department, in collaboration with the Long Island Power Authority and New York Power Authority, is leasing the silver, two-door hatchback, from American Honda Motor Co.
Grant categories spanned several areas, including development, the creation of a state "Hydrogen Roadmap," outreach and code reviews needed for development, and finally the actual production, distribution and utilization of hydrogen fuel.
George E. Pataki ordered that at least 50 percent of all light-duty vehicles in the state's fleet be alternative-fuel vehicles by 2005, and for that the number to be 100 percent by 2010.
According to Office of General Services spokeswoman Jennifer Morris, 43 percent of the state's light duty fleet is already made up of alternative fuel vehicles.
It will be used to construct and operate fueling stations for the two vehicles and will give Honda the opportunity to test the Honda FCX hydrogen fuel-cell prototype.
In addition to the hydrogen-fuel cell project, American Wind Power and Hydrogen will receive $709,000 to for a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine project at the University of Buffalo that would focus on converting the engines of vehicles owned by the college and the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority to burn hydrogen.
"The benefit to doing this project in Buffalo," said John Love, associate project manager for industry research and development at NYSERDA, "is that we'll be getting hydrogen from Praxair Inc., a specialty gas company in Tonawanda.
According to Love, hydrogen fuel is essentially what you would call "clean" in that it either produces nearly no emissions when burned and only water when it is used to power a fuel cell.
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