Fuel Cells 2000 has put out an 89-page PDF report called “2010 State of the States: Fuel Cells in America” that is worth reading if you’re a hydrogen supporter. The report talks about how each of the 50 U. S. states plus Washington DC are advancing hydrogen and fuel cell development in their individual states.
The Fuel Cells 2000 report gives credit to the top 5 states in 2009 that are advancing hydrogen and fuel cells being California, Connecticut, New York, Ohio and South Carolina.
According to the state-by-state analysis the most development is being conducted on the West Coast and East Coast with the Midwest lagging somewhat. In fact, the only state that has made and is making a zero effort in regard zero emissions hydrogen technology is Kansas. I suppose they plan on using prairie dogs on treadmills at their future clean energy policy?
Anyway, in the recent past I’ve talked about the building of an East Coast Hydrogen Highway and this vision is supported by the states on the east that are currently using hydrogen fuel cell technology and have state incentives to continue to do so. Even small population states such as Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maryland and Delaware are doing their part.
Continuing down the coast, New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina (a hotbed of hydrogen development) and Florida are also all doing their part. This means that an East Coast Hydrogen Highway is less of a possibility and more of a probability.
But, besides the East and West Coasts (and shunning Kansas for a second) there are a few other Midwestern states that must be given their due including Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota. Ohio is a hotbed of hydrogen development right now. So far Ohio has created 295 fuel cell jobs with an average pay scale of $61,651.
Now, this many not sound like many jobs, but the U. S. Department of Energy estimates by the year 2035, more than 361,000 to 675,000 U. S. jobs will be created by the hydrogen fuel cell industry.
The perception has been that in the U. S., hydrogen and fuel cells are mainly a West Coast thing with a few states on the East coast thrown into the mix. The reality, however (outside of the tag-a-long Kansas) is that all U. S. states are growing their hydrogen economies. The naysayers say that hydrogen and fuel cells are just a pipe dream and I say hydrogen and fuel cells are a pipeline to a clean energy future that is just around the corner.
I . believe you forgot to mention “HAWAII” ever since she started A Hydrogen Program. The “SO CALLED NEWS MEDIA” has forgotten Her and Her State. Check the amount of Hydrogen Fuel Stations BOBBY C.