South Carolina Leaders and Lawmakers Welcome National Hydrogen Association and Discuss Future of Hydrogen and Future Fuels for State
March 31, 2009
Speaker Harrell Introduces Monumental Hydrogen Legislation and Leaders Tour Hydrogen Powered Vehicles on Display
COLUMBIA, SC – March 31, 2009 – State leaders from government, science, technology and business industries gathered this afternoon on the south steps of the Statehouse to welcome the National Hydrogen Association to South Carolina. Speaker of the SC House of Representatives, Bobby Harrell, addressed the crowd discussing the state’s commitment to becoming a leading center of excellence in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Part of this commitment is SC’s legislative support for advancing the hydrogen industry, and Speaker Harrell announced today new, groundbreaking legislation that would change the way hydrogen is currently permitted.
The 2009 Hydrogen Permitting Act would place the authority and responsibility of permitting hydrogen in SC under the jurisdiction of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. By doing this, South Carolina would be the only state that has permitting at the state level while maintaining international safety codes. This legislation would increase public safety and help the state improve its reputation within the industry as a center of business.
“This week’s national conference, coupled with yesterday’s opening of our first two hydrogen fueling stations demonstrates how all our hard work has made South Carolina a world leader in next energy research,” said House Speaker Bobby Harrell. “This new technology is already drawing new companies and new jobs to our state. Hydrogen could be the catalyst that ignites a safer, cleaner and more profitable domestic energy source driving our nation’s economy. And the 2009 Hydrogen Permitting Act will help us pave this hydrogen road to the future by standardizing these fueling stations as the new gas stations of the 21st Century.”
South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance (SCHFCA) Chair, Elbert Malone, explained how the Alliance worked with the Speaker’s office to craft this monumental legislation, which sets South Carolina apart as the only state to bring the permitting of hydrogen to the state level.
Today marks a great day for hydrogen and fuel cells in South Carolina. We are happy to host industry representatives from around the world and take this opportunity to show off our state’s commitment” said Mr. Malone, Chair of the SCHFCA. “I also want to thank Speaker Harrell for working with the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance to develop the 2009 Hydrogen Permitting Act.
Bill Mahoney, CEO of the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) also spoke about the strategic investments SCRA and the state are making to alternative energy and growing SC’s knowledge economy especially with programs such as SCLaunch!, which encourage innovation, collaboration and commercialization.
“The presence of legislation addressing codes and standards for hydrogen and fuel cell implementations represents a clear commitment by business, economic development , academic and political leaders in the state to grow and develop a hydrogen and fuel cell economy,” said Mahoney. “We are pleased to lead investment and execution in this and other projects that fulfill SCRA’s legislative mandates through the Innovation Centers and Industry Partnership acts.”
Tom Mutchler, General Manager of Worldwide Equipment for Air Products (NYSE: APD) made some remarks about how his company views South Carolina as one of the leaders for hydrogen research and commercialization.
Hydrogen’s prominence as an alternative energy source is for its potential to meet our nation’s objectives of energy independence, energy security and sustainability. No other fuel offers the potential to meet these goals like hydrogen does. Hydrogen also has the benefit that it can be generated from multiple sources, including renewable ones, and hydrogen is not just a fuel for the future, it is here today,” said Mutchler. “We commend the leadership that South Carolina has shown on the hydrogen issue. The work that South Carolina leaders have done at the federal, state and local level is evidence of their commitment to an issue that has broad implications for our nation.”
Following the press conference, lawmakers and other state leaders had the opportunity to explore Daimler and Hyundai-Kia’s new, hydrogen powered vehicles. Daimler’s new Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell plus” is one of the vehicles in Daimler’s existing fuel cell fleet that has been converted from 350 to 700-bar technology, extending its range by up to 70%. Daimler presently has over 100 fuel cell vehicles in cooperation worldwide, and small series production of the next generation B Class F-Cell will commence in 2009. The Hyundai-KIA Borrego FCEV pure hydrogen powered luxury fuel cell SUV is a high performance vehicle with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 12.8 seconds with 54 mpg. The Borrego FCEV can reach speeds of 100 mph and travel for 426 miles before refueling.
About the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance
The SCHFCA is a public-private collaboration for cooperative and coordinated utilization of resources in the state used to advance the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The Alliance was founded in January 2006 and is comprised of a dozen institutions and organizations devoted to hydrogen and fuel cell initiatives: Applied Research Center, Clemson University, Savannah River National Lab, South Carolina Energy Office, South Carolina State University, University of South Carolina, Dantherm Power, Greenway Energy, EngenuitySC, South Carolina Research Authority, NSF I/U CR Center for Fuel Cells, and Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition. For more information on the SCHFCA and its members, please visit www.schydrogen.org and follow us on Twitter at “SCHFCA.”
About the NHA Conference Hydrogen Expo
The NHA Conference and Hydrogen Expo is the largest hydrogen conference in the US. Now in its 20th year, it is also the longest running annual hydrogen conference in the world, attracting more than 1,000 business professionals and expo visitors every year who gather to learn about the latest advances, network with colleagues and exchange ideas. More information may be obtained by visiting www.HydrogenConference.org,
About the National Hydrogen Association
The National Hydrogen Association (NHA) is the Nation’s premier hydrogen trade organization led by over 100 companies dedicated to supporting the transition to hydrogen. Efforts are focused on education and outreach, policy, safety and codes and standards. Since 1989, the NHA has served as a catalyst for information exchange and cooperative projects and continues to provide the setting for mutual support among industry, research and government organizations. Find out more at: www.HydrogenAssociation.org
