Federal Transportation Bill Includes Funding for Major Hydrogen Bus R&D Program.PASADENA, Calif. -- Congress has provided funding for an ambitious, competitive four-year hydrogen and fuel cell bus research and development program supported by WestStart-CALSTART that can make America America [for Amerigo Vespucci], the lands of the Western Hemisphere—North America, Central (or Middle) America, and South America. The world map published in 1507 by Martin Waldseemüller is the first known cartographic use of the name. a leader in this new, clean technology arena and help address critical energy security challenges. Congress approved $49-million in funding for the National Fuel Cell Bus Technology Development Program as a component of the just-passed $287-billion Transportation Equity Act of 2005. The program will speed work to make hydrogen and fuel cell buses commercially viable, focusing on critical areas of technology development. WestStart-CALSTART, together with a national team of more than 30 leading bus makers, operators and technology developers, formed the National Fuel Cell Bus Technology Initiative (NFCBTI) and led the effort to ensure funding for this critical effort to keep America competitive in these new technologies. "In a time of tight budgets, we commend com·mend tr.v. com·mend·ed, com·mend·ing, com·mends 1. To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend. 2. To express approval of; praise. See Synonyms at praise. 3. Congress for giving the U.S. an important chance to be a leader in technology than can help improve urban air quality and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil," said WestStart-CALSTART's President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , John Boesel. "Though the measure received strong bipartisan support across the country, we want to particularly recognize the leadership of Congressman James James, person in the Bible James, in the Gospel of St. Luke, kinsman of St. Jude. The original does not specify the relationship. James, rivers, United States James. Oberstar (D-MN) and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mary Whitaker Bono is an American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1998, representing the 45th District of California (map) which includes most of central and eastern Riverside County. (R-CA)." WestStart-CALSTART and NFCBTI supporters believe that the transit bus A transit bus (also known as a commuter bus) in the United States is usually operated by an urban-suburban bus line, a governmental public transit agency, or a contractor. A transit bus is normally used on public transit routes. market is the best early market for the development and introduction of vehicular fuel cell technology. Transit's centralized cen·tral·ize v. cen·tral·ized, cen·tral·iz·ing, cen·tral·iz·es v.tr. 1. To draw into or toward a center; consolidate. 2. refueling stations and the ability to place hydrogen cylinders on the roof of a bus eliminate two major challenges to the introduction of fuel cells in passenger cars, the lack of refueling infrastructure and the space requirements for hydrogen storage
Hydrogen storage is the main technological problem of a viable hydrogen economy. Some attention has been given to the role of hydrogen to provide grid energy storage for unpredictable energy sources, like . Transit also has a history of being first to introduce new fuels and technology. Europe has been an early leader in fuel cells for transit. The European Commission European Commission, branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU) invested with executive and some legislative powers. Located in Brussels, Belgium, it was founded in 1967 when the three treaty organizations comprising what was then the European Community has already funded a major fuel cell bus demonstration program that has deployed and tested 32 early generation fuel cell buses in 11 different European European emanating from or pertaining to Europe. European bat lyssavirus see lyssavirus. European beech tree fagussylvaticus. European blastomycosis see cryptococcosis. cities. However, there is a tremendous need to improve the base technologies. In contrast to the European program, the U.S. program will focus more on the key technical challenges preventing fuel cell buses from becoming commercially viable. It will be a competitive, national program that will identify and support the nation's best hydrogen and fuel cell teams and technologies for transit. The $49-million program runs from 2006-2009 to develop and validate To prove something to be sound or logical. Also to certify conformance to a standard. Contrast with "verify," which means to prove something to be correct. For example, data entry validity checking determines whether the data make sense (numbers fall within a range, numeric data systems that can lead to commercialization. WestStart-CALSTART is now beginning to work with industry to identify the best project ideas for possible review: contact Fred Silver at fsilver@weststart.org. Fuel cells offer a tremendous opportunity to improve air quality, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and help prevent climate change. Boesel noted, "We believe Congress acted wisely in providing resources to developing solutions that can address both energy security as well as environmental challenges. NFCBTI is one of the long-range programs the nation needs to address the impacts of our transportation system." A complete list of the NFCBTI supporters is attached. For more information, visit: http://www.calstart.org/programs/FuelCell/NFCBTI_backgrounder back·ground·er n. An informal news briefing for reporters by an official often speaking off the record. Noun 1. backgrounder .pdf. WestStart-CALSTART is North America's leading advanced transportation technologies consortium. It is a fuel neutral, participant-supported organization of more than 115 companies and agencies, dedicated to expanding and supporting a high-tech transportation industry that cleans the air, creates jobs and improves energy efficiency. WestStart-CALSTART is playing a leading national role in facilitating the development of advanced propulsion systems Noun 1. propulsion system - a system that provides a propelling or driving force system - instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity; "he bought a new stereo system"; "the system consists of a motor and a and alternative fuels in the transit and heavy-duty vehicle industry, and in new systems for personal mobility. The California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). operating division does business as CALSTART. Visit www.weststart.org for more information.
NATIONAL FUEL CELL BUS TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE
INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS
AC Transit
Air Products and Chemicals
Ballard
Boeing
CEO Coalition to Advance Sustainable Technologies
Cobasys
Donaldson
Ebus, Inc.
ECD Ovonics
Enova Systems
Environmental & Energy Study Institute
Hydrogenics
H2Gen
Idatech
ISE Research
Millennium Cell
National Hydrogen Association
North American Bus Industries
Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium
Nuvera Fuel Cells
Pi Technology
Quantum Technologies
Solectria Corporation (Azure Dynamics)
SunLine Transit
Thor Industries
Tri-Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet)
U.S. Fuel Cell Council
US Hybrid Corporation
UTC Fuel Cells
WestStart-CALSTART
|
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion