Fed Watch: Hydrogen Fueling Station in Chicago

With $2 million in funding from the federal Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, the city of Chicago has plans for the world’s first ethanol-to-hydrogen fueling station.

The fiscal year 2006 appropriations bill, which was passed earlier this month, includes $157 million for hydrogen technology. The Chicago station will convert ethanol, an alcohol produced from crops, to clean hydrogen gas and fuel a test fleet of hydrogen power vehicles.

By funding the station, the appropriations bill is beginning to address a major alternative energy deterrent –the relative unavailability of the fuel. Said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., who secured House funding:

It´s good energy policy, it´s good environmental policy, and it´s good economic policy. Hydrogen is an affordable renewable resource with virtually infinite quantities. By investing now, we can develop this technology to fit our country´s growing energy needs.