December 2004

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A Northeast Hydrogen Corridor? General Motors and Shell Hydrogen are likely to propose to the U.S. Energy Department the construction of a chain of hydrogen fueling stations between Washington, DC and New York City. Details as to how many stations would be proposed, how soon and total cost aren’t clear but speakers at both the Fuel Cell Seminar in San Antonio and at the opening of the Shell hydrogen station in Washington DC last month briefly mentioned the plan. Sig Gronich, the DoE official in charge of the department’s large-scale controlled hydrogen fleet and infrastructure demonstration project (H&FCL May 04), mentioned it during his presentation on progress in the large 5-year program. And Philip Baxley, Shell Hydrogen’s vice president for business development, said the new Washington station would be an “anchor” for the corridor. Additionally, Gronich said there’s interest in building hydrogen stations north of New York City on the road to the state capital of Albany. According to Gronich, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has put out RFPs for stations. “All this will be reviewed in the overall context” of national infrastructure planning, Gronich said.