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Finally! The Government is Offering Rewards for Hydrogen-Fuel Technology

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by Lil Pun, May 10, 2006.

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  1. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Member

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    $10M Prize for Hydrogen Fuel Technology

    WASHINGTON - Scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs will be able to vie for a grand prize of $10 million, and smaller prizes reaching millions of dollars, under House-passed legislation to encourage research into hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

    Legislation creating the "H-Prize," modeled after the privately funded Ansari X Prize that resulted last year in the first privately developed manned rocket to reach space twice, passed the House Wednesday on a 416-6 vote. A companion bill is to be introduced in the Senate this week.

    "This is an opportunity for a triple play," said bill sponsor Rep. Bob Inglis, R-S.C., citing benefits to national security from reduced dependence on foreign oil, cleaner air from burning pollution-free hydrogen and new jobs. "If we can reinvent the car, imagine the jobs we can create."

    "Perhaps the greatest role that the H-Prize may serve is in spurring the imagination of our most valuable resource, our youth," said co-sponsor Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill.

    The measure would award four prizes of up to $1 million every other year for technological advances in hydrogen production, storage, distribution and utilization. One prize of up to $4 million would be awarded every second year for the creation of a working hydrogen vehicle prototype.

    The grand prize, to be awarded within the next 10 years, would go for breakthrough technology.

    "Prizes can draw out new ideas from scientists and engineers who may not be willing or able to participate in traditional government research and development programs, while encouraging them, rather than the taxpayer, to assume the risk," said Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y.

    Inglis said the
    Department of Energy would put together a private foundation to set up guidelines and requirements for the prizes. Anyone can participate, as long as the research is performed in the United States and the person, if employed by the government or a national lab, does the research on his own time.

    He said the prize would not take away funds from any federal hydrogen programs, including the $1.7 billion hydrogen research program that
    President Bush first detailed in 2003.

    The Energy Department announced earlier this year that it would provide $119 million in funding for research into hydrogen fuel cells, including $100 million over the next four years to projects to improve components of fuel cell systems.

    Several automakers have made advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology or dual gas-hydrogen engines, but such vehicles are still very expensive and there's no viable infrastructure of fueling stations.

    __
     
    #1 Lil Pun, May 10, 2006
  2. HayesStreet

    HayesStreet Member

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    Here's an idea - put a billion up for 'prizes' to solve the problem. Plenty of small companies can participate for that kind of dough.

    suprised there's been no other responses in the thread. :confused:
     
    #2 HayesStreet, May 11, 2006
  3. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Member

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    I was surprised too. Maybe it's not that big of a deal.
     
    #3 Lil Pun, May 11, 2006
  4. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    Winning that prize would be the H-bomb.
     
    #4 MR. MEOWGI, May 11, 2006
  5. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    I wouldn't say "finally" in the title. Hydrogen solutions have been funded for years by the government.
     
    #5 bigtexxx, May 11, 2006
  6. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    I hope it turns into a big deal, Lil Pun. I support the idea, of course, but I wish the Feds would offer large incentives for Detroit to switch to hybrids, in a massive way. Give them huge tax breaks, whatever it takes. Unlike hydrogen tech, the technology is already out there. Detroit switching to hybrids could have a quick impact on domestic gasoline consumption.

    I wish the reward was larger, but it's still good nrews, and could have an impact, long-term. Thanks for posting it! :cool:



    Keep D&D Civil.
     
    #6 Deckard, May 11, 2006
  7. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Member

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    I knew that I meant finally we're hearing some new news about the subject or at least I am because I haven't seen much since that hydrogen fuel station opened near D.C.
     
    #7 Lil Pun, May 11, 2006
  8. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Member

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    Hey, I am for anything that reduces are dependency on oil. If what you posted above actually would work then I am all for it too.
     
    #8 Lil Pun, May 11, 2006
  9. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    TAX CUTS for BIG CORPORATIONS?!???!?!! We're at WAR! No more tax cuts for the wealthy!!!!1 FISCAL RESPONSABILITY 4EVAR

    [/end sarcasm]
     
    #9 bigtexxx, May 11, 2006
  10. updawg

    updawg Member

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    I think he's referring to Tax cuts for legit reasons
     
    #10 updawg, May 11, 2006
  11. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    Don't be a goofus, texxx. :)

    By the way, texxx, you never answered my question to you. Because we are at war, are you willing to pay more taxes in order to fund it? I am, how about you? I get a tax break, having enough income, and I'm willing to give it up. How about you? Don't you support the war? Shouldn't you support paying for it, and insuring that our veterans get good health care, and our fighting men and women get the salaries and benefits they deserve?

    How about it, texxx? You ready to sacrifice for the greater good, and for your country? To give up some tax breaks and tax cuts because you have a high enough income? I am. Will you?



    Keep D&D Civil.
     
    #11 Deckard, May 11, 2006
  12. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    I'm convinced that you liberals do way more damage to the troops' morale through your negativity campaigns that highlight their failures and refuse to mention their successes than any kind of hypothetical increased war tax that you're offering to pay.
     
    #12 bigtexxx, May 11, 2006
  13. Ubiquitin

    Ubiquitin Member
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    What troops read this forum?
     
    #13 Ubiquitin, May 11, 2006
  14. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    I'm sure there are a few. What's worse is that I'm sure the liberals on this board spew their negativity outside of the board in the personal lives, as well.
     
    #14 bigtexxx, May 11, 2006
  15. HayesStreet

    HayesStreet Member

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    There was a post the other day from a soldier actually in Iraq at this time. Just fyi. :)
     
    #15 HayesStreet, May 11, 2006
  16. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    I thought soldiers were tough.
     
    #16 MR. MEOWGI, May 11, 2006
  17. wnes

    wnes Contributing Member

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    No that u12345 (can't remember the exact number) poster is a contractor from Houston area.
     
    #17 wnes, May 11, 2006
  18. updawg

    updawg Member

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    Apparently not as tough as bigtexxx. maybe we do need him over there. :D
     
    #18 updawg, May 11, 2006
  19. UberDork

    UberDork Member

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    I saw a report on a news program that said that the whole country of Brazil uses ethanol (from sugarcane) as their main source of fuel for vehicles. They don't rely on oil at all. Instead of developing hydrogen fuel, just switch to ethanol, a cheap fuel that currently exists.
     
    #19 UberDork, May 11, 2006
  20. HayesStreet

    HayesStreet Member

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    really? you mean he's a contractor in Iraq? maybe that's where i got confused. fair enough.
     
    #20 HayesStreet, May 11, 2006
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