Originally published April 11 2005
Michigan's new hydrogen highway project moves forward with auto industry backing
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Michigan wants to build a "hydrogen-fueling corridor", or hydrogen highway in the southeast corner of the state, and the Big Three automakers have pledged their support for it. The project is also supported by NextEnergy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to alternative energy. The hydrogen highway will consist of six new hydrogen fueling stations that will be added to the four already existing hydrogen research parks. This new project will only support concept cars for the time being, as hydrogen probably will not be available for consumers for about 20 to 30 years. However, the Big Three automakers have pledged to develop hydrogen-powered cars that will use the hydrogen infrastructure in order to further research.
Capital News Service LANSING - With a new boost from the Big Three automakers, Michigan plans to promote hydrogen-powered transportation supported by a "hydrogen highway."
"We prefer the term hydrogen-fueling corridor," said Chief Executive Officer Jim Croce of NextEnergy, the alternative energy Detroit firm that coordinates research efforts among the fueling stations.
Fuel cells are created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, removing the dependency on imported petroleum for energy needs.
Michigan's hydrogen-fueling corridor consists of four existing hydrogen technology research parks in Ann Arbor, Southfield, Milford and Dearborn.
Ford Motor Co. plans to create a fifth refueling station near Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and NextEnergy is building a research station in TechTown in Detroit.
There are no commercially produced hydrogen vehicles, so the stations serve only concept cars from the participating automakers.
"This is really going to make (commercialization) a 20- to 30-year marathon, not a one- to two-year sprint."
The Michigan refueling corridor is part of the Bush administration's $1.2 billion initiative to make hydrogen fuel competitive for powering vehicles and generating energy.
NextEnergy is working to coordinate the efforts of the Southeast Michigan refueling and research parks to determine safe and cost-efficient hydrogen technology.
For example, the two public stations are the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Lab, commissioned by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency in Ann Arbor, and the DTE Energy Research Park in Southfield.
David Gard, energy policy specialist for the Michigan Environmental Council, said producing hydrogen creates its own environmental problems because generating the electric power to produce it could create more pollution and still require the use of nonrenewable natural resources.
"Hydrogen economy is a good vision to be working toward," said Gard.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml