| Chicago to build
first ethanol-hydrogen fueling station Nov. 10 The city of Chicago plans to build the worldīs first ethanol-to-hydrogen fueling station thanks in part to $2 million funding included in the federal Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, according to members of the Illinois congressional delegation. House and Senate conferees approved fiscal year 2006 appropriations bill Nov. 7, which includes the ethanol-to-hydrogen fueling station funding. "Itīs good energy policy, itīs good environmental policy, and itīs good economic policy," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., who championed the funding in the House. "Hydrogen is an affordable renewable resource with virtually infinite quantities. By investing now, we can develop this technology to fit our countryīs growing energy needs." The city of Chicago will install the hydrogen fueling station to fuel a small test fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The facility will convert ethanol -- an alcohol fuel produced from crops -- and convert it to clean hydrogen gas. "By funding the worldīs first ethanol-to-hydrogen fueling station, Illinois is setting a global example and putting our nation on the road to energy independence," said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.
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