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 rationale 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. Policymakers 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 energy 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 officials. 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 inform and develop state policy in the hydrogen and fuel cell arena.