Hydrogen has support in Congress

Akaka wants to speed up researchBY PAUL C. CURTIS

TGI Staff Writer

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawai’i) has co-introduced

bipartisan legislation in Congress designed to speed up ongoing efforts for the

development of hydrogen as a fuel.

The measure also acknowledges the

efforts of Kaua’i-born Spark Matsunaga, the late senator who previously filled

Akaka’s seat.

Matsunaga “was one of the first to focus attention on

hydrogen by sponsoring hydrogen research legislation,” Akaka said. “The

Matsunaga Hydrogen Act accelerated development of domestic capability to

produce an economically renewable energy source in sufficient quantities to

reduce the nation’s dependence on conventional fuels.”

The Hydrogen Future

Act, introduced by Akaka and anking members of the Senate Committee on Energy

and Natural Resources, seeks to further the goals of the Matsunaga

legislation.

It would expand research and development of hydrogen

production, storage and use. Further, the legislation would provide for

demonstration projects at governmental facilities.

The act, if it becomes

law as Akaka and the other senators have proposed it, would provide $250

million over the next five years for research and development of technologies

for hydrogen production, storage and use.

Akaka said he introduced the

legislation late in the current congressional session to alert interested

organizations, individuals, businesses and organizations about the need to

begin work now to address the issue early in the next session.

Staff

writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) and

pcurtis@pulitzer.net