    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [February 27, 2003]
    [Page 224]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement Announcing the Hydrogen Powerplant Demonstration Project and
    the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum
    February 27, 2003

        Today I am pleased to announce that the United States will sponsor a
    $1 billion, 10-year demonstration project to create the world's first
    coal-based, zero-emissions electricity and hydrogen powerplant. This
    project will be undertaken with international partners and power and
    advanced technology providers to dramatically reduce air pollution and
    capture and store emissions of greenhouse gases. We will work together
    on this important effort to meet the world's growing energy needs, while
    protecting the health of our people and our environment.
        Secretaries Powell and Abraham will also initiate an international Carbon
    Sequestration Leadership Forum, to collaborate with international
    partners on advancing the research, development, and commercial
    deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies in the next
    decade.
        Recently, my administration has proposed initiatives to accelerate
    research and development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to allow for
    commercialization by 2020, and fusion energy by the middle of this
    century. This demonstration project and the Carbon Sequestration
    Leadership Forum will build on these initiatives to provide the American
    people and the world with advanced technologies to meet the world's
    energy needs, while improving our global environment for future
    generations.