SACRAMENTO -- Jan 11 - Oakland Tribune

California Air Resources Board officials met with more than a dozen energy companies and automakers Thursday to shore up wavering support for the governor's proposed hydrogen highway -- a network of fueling stations to allow motorists to use nonpolluting fuel cell-powered vehicles.

Energy companies agreed Thursday to provide money and staff time needed to reopen a critical hydrogen station at the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a group of state and private organizations in Sacramento that are working to get hydrogen into mainstream use.

The closure was one of three recent sites to shutter, as well as another in Richmond that powered some AC Transit buses and cars.

"We are getting strong expressions of support from them to increase their level of commitments, including financially," said Mary Nichols, who chairs the air resources board, talking about the energy companies. "We can't discuss the details of this at this point."

Six energy companies had jointly operated the station -- which is dedicated to hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles under development by companies in the partnership -- but the lease lapsed Dec. 31 and no new agreement has been reached.

Nichols said the increased support goes beyond the one station. Promises were made to find a way to get additional stations built as distrust and concern mounted in the energy and auto industry because, in addition to the three stations recently closing, plans for an additional three state-funded programs collapsed.

That includes a large-scale Bay Area station in San Carlos that was to be built by Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

The Air Resources Board said it will reissue bids for the projects in the next few weeks, and will add money to help upgrade two existing stations. There is already $7.7 million set aside for the competitive projects from past budgets. Another $6 million is being requested for future projects in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget, which he released Thursday.

AC Transit plans to apply for the competitive funds to help replace its Richmond station. The transit agency is currently fueling its three hydrogen buses and 10 passenger cars at its Oakland hydrogen station, but is going to add eight new buses to its fleet as soon as this year and will need additional fuel supply to meet that demand.

"We definitely want to use those funds for a station and we are glad -- given the budget deficit -- that there is still money being made available," said Jaime Levin, director of alternative fuels policy with the transit district.

Contact Kimberly Kindy 916-325-4314 at kkindy@mercurynews.com.

Originally published by Kimberly Kindy, MEDIANEWS SACRAMENTO BUREAU.

(c) 2008 Oakland Tribune. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.