A fuel cell-powered bus will be cruising down local roads in about a year through a new partnership between the Mass Transportation Authority and Kettering University that takes the much-acclaimed new energy from research labs to reality.

Genesee County would join an elite group in the nation, even the world, to operate fuel cell technology in public transportation. It also would be among about 10 places nationwide with a fuel cell refueling station.

"I think this is just an exciting opportunity," said Robert Foy, MTA general manager.

The ambitious plan isn't cheap.

MTA agreed to provide $50,000 for each of three years for Kettering to develop a research vehicle and plans to spend $500,000 to build a refueling station. Plus, the price tag for a single fuel cell-powered, 40-foot passenger bus typically costs between $500,000 and $1 million.

The MTA board approved the partnership with Kettering at its meeting Thursday with the stipulation that more grant money comes through to pay for it.

MTA already received a $650,000 air quality grant for the low- pollution project and another is expected next year, Foy said.

"There are not very many fuel cell buses around, so this will put Flint on the map," said Ahmad Pourmovahed, professor of mechanical engineering at Kettering. "It is a big deal."

Kettering brings to the partnership its technical expertise to help MTA buy the buses, build the refueling station and train staff. It will also continue to study how well the bus performs.

A fuel cell typically converts hydrogen, stored at high pressures, and oxygen into water. The process produces electricity, which can be used to power a vehicle.

Automakers are betting the future will focus on fuel cells, in part because they are pollution free. The only "waste" produced by the vehicle is water, not dangerous exhaust gases.

Rising diesel and gasoline fuel costs make the emerging technology even more appealing, Foy said.

This would be the first fuel cell-powered bus in use in Michigan, although there are some on the West Coast.

Pourmovahed said it's important for the area to remain at the forefront of fuel cell development.

A timeline for the project shows the buses will be purchased and refueling station built on the Kettering campus between January and June 2006.

"What we are trying to do is attract fuel cell developers to come into this area. That would create jobs and hopefully revive the Flint economy," Pourmovahed said.

As for passengers, they should be comfortable on the new bus, but they probably will notice the difference.

"It would be extremely quiet, it would hardly make any noise at all," Pourmovahed said. "Of course we'd probably have signs all over it.