Just when you thought that the powers that be in Washington DC had turned their backs on hydrogen fuel cell cars and infrastructure a round of new hope is underfoot. I talked about the first sign of hope on July 11, 2012 when U. S. Energy Secretary Stephen Chu said he’s had a change of • Read More »
Archives: Political Issues
Energy Secretary Stephen Chu Chooses Fuel Cells
July 11, 2012 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 1 Comment | Filed in: Political Issues.In a turnaround from 2009, when Energy Secretary Stephen Chu slashed the Federal Hydrogen budget by 60-percent, he now states his views of fuel cells are evolving. One of the critical pieces of Chu choosing hydrogen fuel cells is the abundance of natural gas. Most hydrogen produced today is for oil refineries and is made • Read More »
Hysteria over Hydrogen Fueling Station in San Francisco
June 27, 2012 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 4 Comments | Filed in: Political Issues.Well, it’s hard to say that cooler heads are prevailing at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in regard to the proposed hydrogen fueling station. The airport director envisions an apocalyptic Armageddon scenario if a mishap were to happen to a fueling station that has not yet been built. According to the Mercury News, “Now • Read More »
Hydrogen Fueling Station Grants Cancelled
May 31, 2012 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | Comments Off on Hydrogen Fueling Station Grants Cancelled | Filed in: Political Issues.Earlier this month I had talked about a company named Hygen that was claiming that the awarding of hydrogen fueling station grants was rigged. According to the legal complaint, Hygen was saying that the major automakers were conspiring to eliminate competition in the awarding of contracts for the building of hydrogen fueling stations. Well, now • Read More »
President Obama Evolving on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
May 23, 2012 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 1 Comment | Filed in: Political Issues.This has happened every year that the current Administration has been in office. Every Spring the President along with DOE Secretary Steven Chu has cut the hydrogen research budget. And every year, including this year, the Senate has restored that budget. Now, it seems though President Obama’s stance on hydrogen fuel cell cars and vehicles • Read More »
Senate Restores Funding for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Infrastructure
May 3, 2012 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 1 Comment | Filed in: Political Issues.In the Springtime of the past several years the Oval Office has wanted to cut funding for hydrogen research and development. And just as in years past, the U. S. Senate has come to the rescue to restore at least some of that funding. This year is no different thanks to U. S. Senator Charles • Read More »
Is California Killing the Clean Cars Again?
February 9, 2012 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 1 Comment | Filed in: Political Issues.If you’ve watched the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car?” released in 2006, you know that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had a hand in General Motors and the other large automakers crushing their electric cars. In late January 2012, CARB decided to push another clean air mandate in California similar to the one • Read More »
Hydrogen Hater Steven Chu Lights Christmas Tree w/ Fuel Cell
December 21, 2011 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 3 Comments | Filed in: Fuel Cells, Political Issues.The U. S. Department of Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize Winner, has on many occasions insinuated that he is a hydrogen hater, by trying to zero out the Federal budget for hydrogen cars. He calls them “impractical” while battery electric cars have gotten his blessing. As early as May 2011, there were • Read More »
California Energy Commission Says Yes to Hydrogen and Green Energy
September 9, 2011 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 1 Comment | Filed in: Political Issues.When controversial governor Arnold Schwarzenegger left office he left behind him an economic crisis, high unemployment and a partially built California hydrogen highway system. Because the economy is in the tank, unemployment is high and getting higher with state employees such as teachers being layed off and a housing crisis in full force, many Californians • Read More »
Senator Schumer Wants Tax Credit for Off-Road Fuel Cell Vehicles
August 9, 2011 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | 1 Comment | Filed in: Political Issues.U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer has announced a plan to give tax credits not only for hydrogen fuel cell cars and trucks that travel down the highway, but also for other H2 vehicles that are used for industry or for off-road purposes. Right now if you use TurboTax, a tax accountant or even do your • Read More »