Results of a Hydrogen Pilot Program

Abstract

State policy initiatives to support hydrogen energy and fuel cell
technology have taken various forms across the United States. The ra-
tionale for different designs depends on the resources of the state and
the aims of the policy. New Jersey is situated in a region of the country
where relatively advanced state-level initiatives are already in place. Pol-
icymakers in New Jersey recognized the need for the state to be prepared
for a transition to a hydrogen-based economy, but preferred a policy that
would compliment the unique attributes of the state. The New Jersey
Hydrogen Learning Center was a pilot project funded by a grant from
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJ BPU) and administered
by the Center for Energy, Economic & Environmental Policy (CEEEP)
at Rutgers University intended to explore the options of hydrogen en-
ergy in New Jersey. The Learning Center has engaged stakeholders and
students in a statewide discussion to determine the best approach for
New Jersey to move toward a hydrogen-based economy. This article will
describe the methods of outreach used by the New Jersey Hydrogen
Learning Center and discuss the results and lessons learned from its
first year of activities. The Learning Center focused on outreach to three
specific groups: private companies, educators and students, and local
code and zoning of ficials. New Jersey is just beginning to establish its
own hydrogen and fuel cell policy, and the Learning Center has helped
provide a unique perspective on building a stakeholder network to in-
form and develop state policy in the hydrogen and fuel cell arena.