HYDROGEN FUEL INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, in his State of the Union address on January 28, 2003, President Bush announced a
$1.7 billion hydrogen fuel initiative to reverse America's growing dependence on foreign oil by
developing the technology for commercially viable hydrogen-powered fuel cells and related
infrastructure to power cars, truck, homes and businesses with no pollution or greenhouse gases;
and
WHEREAS, under the hydrogen fuel initiative, the first car driven by a child born today could be
powered by fuel cells; and
WHEREAS, the hydrogen fuel initiative complements FreedomCAR, a partnership with
automakers to advance high-technology research needed to produce practical, affordable hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles that American consumers will want to buy and drive; and
WHEREAS, the hydrogen fuel initiative will overcome key technical and cost barriers for fuel
cells, including lowering the cost of hydrogen, creating effective hydrogen storage, and providing
affordable hydrogen fuel cells; and
WHEREAS, America's energy security is threatened by its growing dependence on foreign oil,
and domestically produced hydrogen fuel will help promote America's energy independence; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Energy estimates that the hydrogen fuel initiative and
FreedomCAR can reduce America's demand for oil by over 11 million barrels per day by 2040 -
approximately the amount of oil that America imports today; and
WHEREAS, vehicles are a significant source of air pollution in America's cities, and hydrogen
fuel cells will improve the air quality of America's cities and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by creating electricity to power vehicles without any pollution; and
WHEREAS, hydrogen is the key to a clean energy future for American's cities and can be
produced from abundant domestic resources including natural gas, coal, biomass, and even water,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the
hydrogen fuel initiative to ensure American's energy security by significantly reducing the need for
imported oil, as well as promoting clean air in America's cities and reduced greenhouse gas
emissions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges federal lawmakers
to support and fully fund the hydrogen fuel initiative.
©2003 U.S. Conference of Mayors 
