[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 92 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6498-S6499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI:
  S. 965. A bill to amend title II of the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 
to extend an authorization contained therein, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                  authorization extension legislation

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I offer a very simple bill with 
the hope that it can receive expedited consideration in the Senate and 
be sent over to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

[[Page S6499]]

  Last year Congress authorized a program to explore the feasibility of 
integrating hydrogen fuel cells with systems to produce hydrogen from 
photovoltaic production or solid waste through gasification or steam 
reforming. This program is outlined in title II of Public Law 104-271, 
the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996.
  The program was originally authorized through 1997 and 1998, with 
funds to remain available until 1999.
  It has since become clear that the program will require a longer 
period of time to put into place. Accordingly, this bill simply extends 
the authorization through fiscal year 2001, with funds to remain 
available until September 30, 2002.
  For those who are unfamiliar with the promise of hydrogen energy 
systems, let me simply add that hydrogen is widely regarded as an 
important potential energy carrier with the potential to join 
electricity as a key component of a future sustainable energy system. 
Unlike coal, oil, or gas, hydrogen cannot be directly mined or 
produced--it must be extracted from hydrogen-rich materials such as 
natural gas, biomass, or even water. While there are significant 
technical and economic barriers that prevent the near-term, widespread 
use of hydrogen as an energy carrier, the eventual promise of hydrogen 
is compelling. Thus, Congress and the Department of Energy has placed a 
high priority on hydrogen energy research and development.
  I urge that my colleagues support the bill.
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