Dr. Robert Sawyer, Air Resources Board Chairman said, "California is preparing for the future today by promoting the use of hydrogen power for cars with stations that will allow any owner of these vehicles to refuel quickly. Governor Schwarzenegger's vision of having hydrogen refueling stations in cities and on major freeways throughout California is crucial for the growth of this technology that can cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and help free us from petroleum dependency."

The demonstration stations, the first to be co-funded by California, will help build hydrogen infrastructure. These environmental criteria include a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gases and 20 percent use of renewable energy to produce and distribute the hydrogen. The criteria also require no increases in smog-forming emissions, compared to average gasoline vehicles and infrastructure. The 50 percent co-funding was made available through legislation adopted in 2005 (Senate Bill 76).

The following organizations submitted successful proposals in a competitive bidding process:

" California State University, Los Angeles - The electrolyzer station will be located on the eastern edge of the college campus, utilize 100 percent renewable wind power and have over 60 kg of storage capacity.

" Pacific Gas and Electric - The station will use steam methane reformation to generate 10 kg/day of hydrogen, use solar photovoltaic cells to supply the renewable energy component, and be co-located at the compressed natural gas fueling station in San Carlos, south of San Francisco.

" San Diego City Schools - The 100 percent renewable electrolyzer station will be located off Interstate 15, adjacent to the new Thurgood Marshall Middle School and Alliant International University campuses in Scripps Ranch. The station will be powered by a 600 kilowatt solar photovoltaic array to be installed at the middle school.

The next step in the grant process will be contract negotiation, followed by, outreach, permitting, site preparation, and construction. Station commissioning is likely in late 2007.

Vehicle proposals also were received and evaluated with the following proposals selected:

" One hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) from General Motors
" Four Toyota Prius hybrid hydrogen/internal combustion engine passenger cars from Quantum.
" Two hydrogen internal combustion engine shuttle buses from Ford.

Contract negotiations are underway with plans to place vehicles in state fleets or universities for evaluation and outreach. The vehicles will be leased for up to 24 months.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.