Two key drivers of U.S. energy policy are energy security and the environment. The goals are to reduce our reliance on imported oil, reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions due to climate change concerns, and reduce other air emissions that can result from the production and use of energy. The use of hydrogen, particularly in the transportation sector, is the only known approach satisfying both drivers. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of plentiful domestic resources with near-zero emissions. It can be utilized with fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to provide emission free transportation.

The President’s National Energy Policy and the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Strategic Plan call for expanding the development of diverse domestic energy supplies. Working with industry, the Department developed a national Vision for moving toward a hydrogen economy—a solution that may provide sustainable, clean, safe, secure, affordable, and reliable energy. In February 2003, President Bush announced a new Hydrogen Fuel Initiative to achieve this vision. To realize this vision, we must develop and demonstrate technologies for hydrogen production, delivery, storage, conversion, and applications. Toward this end, DOE has worked with public and private organizations to develop a National Hydrogen Energy Technology Roadmap . The Roadmap identifies the technological research, development, and demonstration steps required to make a successful transition to a hydrogen economy. In the spring of 2003, Secretary Abraham announced our desire to form an International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE). The IPHE has since been formed to enable more effective global collaboration for a hydrogen economy. In the fall of 2004, DOE issued the Hydrogen Posture Plan which describes the overall Department’s strategy, plan and key targets and milestones to enable the hydrogen economy. It includes efforts in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, Nuclear Energy and Science.