Hydrogen Fuel Initiative: DOE Has Made Important Progress and Involved Stakeholders but Needs to Update What It Expects to Achieve by Its 2015 Target
Highlights
The United States consumes more than 20 million barrels of oil each day, two-thirds of which is imported, leaving the nation vulnerable to rising prices. Oil combustion produces emissions linked to health problems and global warming. In January 2003, the administration announced a 5-year, $1.2 billion Hydrogen Fuel Initiative to perform research, development, and demonstration (R&D) for developing hydrogen fuel cells for use as a substitute for gasoline engines. Led by the Department of Energy (DOE), the initiative's goal is to develop the technologies by 2015 that will enable U.S. industry to make hydrogen-powered cars available to consumers by 2020. GAO examined the extent to which DOE has (1) made progress in meeting the initiative's targets, (2) worked with industry to set and meet targets, and (3) worked with other federal agencies to develop and demonstrate hydrogen technologies. GAO reviewed DOE's hydrogen R&D plans, attended DOE's annual review of each R&D project, and interviewed DOE managers, industry executives, and independent experts.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | To accurately reflect progress made by the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and the challenges it faces, the Secretary of Energy should update the Hydrogen Posture Plan's overall assessment of what DOE reasonably expects to achieve by its technology readiness date in 2015, including how this updated assessment may differ from prior posture plans and a projection of anticipated R&D funding needs. |
The Obama Administration has reduced its request for Hydrogen Technology Program funding because hydrogen technology is considered a longer term option for vehicles. In addition, GAO's briefing of the House and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development cited GAO's report on the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and identified $103.9 million in uncosted funds that would carry over into fiscal year 2009. In response, the Congress reduced DOE's fiscal year 2009 appropriation for the Hydrogen Technology Program by $10.5 million and transferred three Hydrogen Technology programs totaling $31.5 million to DOE's Vehicle Technology Program.
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