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thedrifter
04-23-06, 08:13 AM
Hydrogen is fuel of future, Bush declares
He expects 'tough summer' for gas prices
BY JENNIFER LOVEN
Associated Press

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — President Bush had an Earth Day message for drivers worried about soaring gasoline prices: The nation must move more quickly toward widespread use of hydrogen-powered cars.

Running vehicles on hydrogen fuel cells would help reduce oil consumption. The technology does not require gasoline, and less pollution would result because the vehicles emit water. However, the technology is far from being a reality in the marketplace — the cells are prohibitively expensive and require a new distribution system to replace gas stations.

Bush proposes spending more federal money on research to help speed that process — but it still would be many years off.

"I strongly believe hydrogen is the fuel of the future," he said. "It has the potential — a vast potential to dramatically cut our dependence on foreign oil. Hydrogen is clean, hydrogen is domestically produced and hydrogen is the way of the future."

The president spoke on a visit to the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a group of 31 organizations, including car makers, energy providers, government agencies and fuel cell companies, that promotes the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles.

Bush, who was met by a handful of protesters, checked out several fuel cell vehicles and a hydrogen fueling station.

With gas prices on the rise just months before crucial fall congressional elections, Bush can do little but express sympathy for families and businesses. The energy plan he wants Congress to pass, which also would boost federal research into batteries for hybrid and electric cars and renewable fuels, does not include any measures that would reduce pump costs in the short term.

The average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline is $2.855, according to AAA's daily fuel gauge report, and has topped $3 a gallon in parts of the country, including California and Washington, D.C.

"I understand the folks here, as well as in other parts of the country, are paying high gas prices," Bush said. "We're going to have a tough summer."

Bush's four-day swing through California and to Las Vegas was aimed at reviving his stalled domestic agenda.

In addition to pushing his proposals to build alternative energy sources to oil, he was making stops to urge Congress to pass his plan for boosting American competitiveness globally and to go along with his demand for immigration reform.

Today he will attend church and have lunch with Marines and Navy sailors at a California military base.

Bush also was raising money for Republican candidates at a reception benefiting the national GOP on Saturday evening in Indian Wells, Calif., and on Monday at a lunch in Las Vegas for Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev.

In the Democratic response to Bush's weekly radio address, Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida said the administration must stop being influenced by the oil industry and start promoting production of synthetic fuel from coal, broader use of alternative sources such as ethanol and an increase in vehicle mileage standards.

Ellie