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2005 SESSION

058339804
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 406
Senate Amendments in [ ] – February 8, 2005
Expressing the General Assembly's support for the Virginia Hydrogen Energy Plan.
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Patrons Prior to Engrossment--Senators Rerras and Bolling
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the security of the United States is threatened by its dependence on foreign energy imports; and

WHEREAS, hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe; and

WHEREAS, advances in technology have made hydrogen a clean, reliable carrier of energy with the ability to meet all future energy needs; and

WHEREAS, hydrogen is a completely clean, non-polluting fuel; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States [ , George Walker Bush, ]  in his 2003 State of the Union address, recommended over $1.2 billion for research in the current fiscal budget; and

WHEREAS, industry, the federal government, and the states are spending billions of dollars to foster the development of a hydrogen-based economy; and

WHEREAS, hydrogen power fuel cells are coming to the forefront in their technical development and can compete with internal combustion engines for automotive power as well as primary and back-up electric power generation; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has all the necessary natural resources, including coal, gas, oil, biomass, wind, and solar, to make the Commonwealth a natural leader in the production of hydrogen and the development of a hydrogen-based economy; and

WHEREAS, the efficient and economic use of hydrogen will stimulate Virginia's economy, foster new growth, and create new jobs and opportunity; and

WHEREAS, Virginia will then be able to prosper with a new powerful driver for its economy that will create meaningful jobs, attract new businesses, train skilled workers, protect the environment, and fund the Commonwealth for generations to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby express its support for the Virginia Hydrogen Energy Plan, which consists of the following elements:

•  Encouraging the  [ Office of the Secretary of Technology to develop development of ]  a comprehensive strategy to bring Virginia into a leadership position in the hydrogen economy,

•  Encouraging the colleges and universities in Virginia to develop curricula to train engineers, managers, and workers at universities and community colleges in the field of hydrogen based energy,

•  Educating Virginians about the advantages and importance of a hydrogen economy,

•  Promoting a Virginia hydrogen alliance,

•  Implementing all necessary legislation to help nurture the hydrogen economy,

•  Ascertaining federal assistance and matching funds for a comprehensive Virginia hydrogen blueprint,

•  Promoting relationships with hydrogen producers as well as fuel cell and hydrogen reformer manufacturers,

•  Working with Virginia Clean Cities or other similar agencies and organizations to establish guidelines to form a statewide hydrogen taskforce, and

•  Cultivating national precedence with other regions of the country in the supply of hydrogen to the national hydrogen distribution network [ ; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor of Virginia and the Virginia Congressional delegation in order that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter ] .