NCGA Welcomes Harkin’s Ethanol-to-Hydrogen Legislation
(2-16-05)
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) commends
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) for introducing legislation this week that
strengthens efforts to convert ethanol into hydrogen to fuel hybrid
electric vehicles (HEVs).
“This piece of legislation encourages important
innovation in the automobile industry,” said Gerald Tumbleson,
NCGA first vice president. “Hybrid electric cars are the forerunners
of hydrogen-propelled cars, and this bill gives a boost to the research
that’s being done in this area.”
Tumbleson said renewable ethanol is a natural choice
for advancing hydrogen-powered automobile technology. “Ethanol
is a safe, affordable fuel that is easy to transport because the
necessary infrastructure is already in place.”
Harkin’s bill calls for the investment of
$5 million over three years to demonstrate the cost advantage of
producing hydrogen from ethanol and other farm-based fuels. As part
of the program, the ethanol-to-hydrogen technology is expected to
be used by a fleet of at least 10 HEVs.
In a statement, Harkin said consumers will need
to rely on renewable energy like ethanol as part of a comprehensive
energy solution. “Converting ethanol into hydrogen is a smart
step for the environment, for our energy security and for America’s
farmers,” the senator said. “We have to think creatively
in preparing for our energy future; hydrogen offers us that opportunity.”
Harkin’s bill seeks to accomplish the following
goals within three years of enactment of the legislation:
• Within the first year, build and install an ethanol-to-hydrogen
fueling system and convert 10 internal combustion hybrid electric
vehicles to run on hydrogen.
• Fund the continued operation of the hybrid electric vehicles
for two subsequent years, fueled at the ethanol-to-hydrogen reformer.
• Collect emissions and fuel economy data under a variety
of operating and weather conditions.
Tumbleson said NCGA is supportive of efforts to
introduce technologies that lessen U.S. dependence on foreign energy
sources and enhance environmental quality.
“The marriage of renewable fuels like ethanol
and alternative transportation technology like hybrid electric vehicles
is truly a win-win scenario,” he said. “More research
on expanding the use of renewable fuels must be a priority for this
country. Ethanol has proven itself as a rural economic engine, part
of the solution to our national energy security challenge and a
key to making the air we breathe cleaner.”