Hydrogen research
Over the past several years, South Carolina has spent more than $40 million in tax dollars on hydrogen research[1] even though multiple experts question how viable the technology will be in offsetting U.S. reliance on foreign oil or reducing carbon emissions.
The results of this significant investment have been paltry. Barely a couple hundred jobs have been created,[2] according to SC House Speaker Bobby Harrell.
[edit] Hydrogen Fueling Stations
In spring 2009, state officials unveiled two hydrogen fueling stations, in Columbia, SC, and Aiken, SC, which cost between $1.2 million-$1.5 million apiece. At the time the stations were unveiled, there was just a single hydrogen-powered vehicle operating in the entire state[3].
The costs for the hydrogen fueling stations were almost paid for by government funds, according to the South Carolina Research Authority. SCRA said that for the Columbia fueling station, the city of Columbia contributed $840,000, EngenuitySC put in $325,000 from a federal grant, SCRA and SC Launch! added $300,000, and the University of South Carolina-Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative (comprised of USC, the city of Columbia, EngenuitySC and SCRA) contributed the remaining $48,000.[3]
The money paid in by the city of Columbia came through a loan from the SC Energy Office's ConserFund program, a low-interest revolving loan program. However, the SC General Assembly choose to pay the loan off in full, along with $600,000 the program had loaned for the Aiken hydrgoen fueling facility, when it crafted the Fiscal Year 2009-10 budget.[4]
In addition, hydrogen at the Columbia site costs $9.50-$10 per gallon. Hydrogen fuel has to be shipped from out of state because none is produced in South Carolina.[3]
But despite the negligible results and the federal government's recent admission that the technology won't work[5], state lawmakers continue to press for even more funding. Lawmakers appropriated $775,601 for hydrogen research in the FY 2009-10 budget.[6]
[edit] External links
- Statehouse Leaders Continue Hydrogen Push Despite Shortfalls.
- Hydrogen Research Wastes Scarce Tax Dollars.
- State's First Hydrogen Fueling Stations Dedicated
- Hydrogen Highway a Lonely Stretch of Road
- Press Release: Hydrogen: Proving to be a Great Investment for SC.
- FY 2009-10 SC General Appropriations Bill.
- Harrell's Hydrogen Dreams Evaporating
- Millions for hydrogen boondoggle
[edit] References
- ↑ The State, Hydrogen: Hope or hype?, Mach 2, 2009
- ↑ South Carolina Statehouse Blog, PRESS RELEASE: Hydrogen: Proving to be a Great Investment for SC, June 19, 2009
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 South Carolina Policy Counsel, Hydrogen research wastes scarce tax dollars
- ↑ Provision 90.19
- ↑ The State, Obama’s cuts deal blow to S.C. hydrogen economy, May 9, 2009
- ↑ South Carolina Appropriations
