Senate OKs Energy Bill ; Hydrogen Research Gets $190 Million
Source :
By Jeff Wilkinson
The U.S. Senate late Wednesday approved an energy funding bill that includes $190 million for hydrogen research.
The appropriation comes after an Obama administration budget request that cut funding for hydrogen to $68 million in 2010 from $169 million spent this year.
The passage of the Senate Energy-Water Appropriations Bill comes a week after the U.S. House approved a bill that included $153 million for hydrogen.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., voted for the bill. U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., was one of nine senators who voted no.
The two bills now go to a conference committee, which is expected to vote on a compromise version in September after Congress returns from its recess.
The president’s requested cuts might have affected work at the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken County, which studies hydrogen production and storage, but likely would not have affected grants at the University of South Carolina, which focuses on fuel cells.
“This is more good news for Columbia,” said attorney and lobbyist Kyle Michel, who represents Engenuity SC, which heads up Columbia’s and USC’s hydrogen push. “It shows that the Senate agrees with the House that funding for hydrogen research and development should be robust.”
Michel said the final amount likely will fall between the House and Senate’s versions.
Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, in submitting the administration request in May, told lawmakers that taxpayer money was better spent on research for electric cars, better batteries for plug-in cars and biofuels, which he deemed quicker fixes than hydrogen for the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
Columbia Mayor Bob Coble and others immediately traveled to Washington to lobby the S.C. Congressional delegation to help restore the money.
Shannon Baxter-Clemmons, executive director of the S.C. Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Alliance, which represents hydrogen interests statewide, credited the delegation with helping to restore the money.
Graham, a Republican, is chairman of the Senate Hydrogen Caucus. Upstate U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, a Republican, heads the House Hydrogen Caucus. Columbia Democrat Jim Clyburn, the House majority leader, was instrumental in restoring the House funding, Baxter-Clemmons said.
“This is a great example of Democrats and Republicans to put politics aside and do something good for the country,” she said.
“This is a great example of Democrats and Republicans to put politics aside and do something good for the country.”
Shannon Baxter-Clemmons, executive director of the S.C. Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Alliance
Originally published by Jeff Wilkinson; The (Columbia) Sptate.
(c) 2009 Herald; Rock Hill, S.C.. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
July 31, 2009 - 7:10 AM
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
