11 February 2004 A transition to hydrogen as a major fuel in the
next 50 years could significantly change the US energy economy,
but technical, economic, and infrastructure barriers need to be
overcome, says a new report from the National Academies’
National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council.
The report, while not disqualifying hydrogen as a future fuel
option, is less optimistic, notably in regards to the timing of
the hydrogen transition, than the Bush administration. In the
best case scenario, the transition to a hydrogen economy would
take many decades, and any reductions in oil imports and carbon
dioxide emissions are likely to be minor during the next 25
years, said the committee that wrote the report. “Our study
suggests that while hydrogen is a potential long-term energy
approach for the nation, the government should keep a balanced
portfolio of research and development efforts to enhance US
energy efficiency and develop alternative energy sources,” said
committee chair Michael Rama