Advanced Vehicle Technology Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, and I want to especially applaud Congressman Peters and Chairman Gordon, who I have had the honor to serve with on the Science Committee, and the distinguished ranking member, Mr. Hall, for his continued and outstanding commitment to science and technology and innovation. That's what moves the Nation forward. It's where his political career has been invested, in making sure that we continue to see America be the preeminent military, social, cultural, and economic leader in the world, and largely because of the embrace of technology and innovation like fuel cell technology.

We know, for example, that every time we replace a gasoline-powered bus with a fuel cell bus, it's equal to removing 77 cars from our roadways.

Hydrogen and fuel cell industries support in Connecticut some 2,100 jobs. With the vision that the chairman has laid out, that will only increase and expand across this country.

We had a young visionary President in the sixties who said that we could put a man on the moon within 10 years. We actually did it in nine. With this technology embracing the most abundant element in the universe, you can't tell me that we can't heat and cool our buildings and get people back and forth to their jobs if we make the appropriate investment.

When you look at the certification from NASA of our ability to utilize fuel cell technology in flight and also in our space station, you understand the great potential that it has. But unless you have the backing of a visionary leader like Bart Gordon, it will not come to fruition.

The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. So, again, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you and the committee for your commitment to this very important technology that seeks to advance our country and wean ourselves from dependency on foreign nations and help bring our troops home.

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Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, and applaud the efforts of Congressman PETERS, Chairman GORDON, and his colleagues on the Science and Technology Committee for their contributions to the future of advanced automobile technologies in the U.S. As long as we are exporting our dollars overseas in exchange for oil, our economic and national security are at risk. The future of the American auto industry and thousands of American jobs rest on the ability of domestic car companies to research, develop, and commercialize new, clean, efficient technologies, including hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, that will be the backbone of a new U.S. vehicle market and economy.

Hydrogen fuel cells can provide power for a wide array of transportation applications. Fuel Cells are a proven technology and already in use today. In Hartford, CT, the transit department is using a fuel cell powered bus that emits no pollution. Every time we replace a gasoline powered bus with a fuel cell bus it is equal to removing 77 cars from our roadways. The hydrogen and fuel cell industry already supports 2,100 jobs in Connecticut alone and with this bill is poised to add many others.

Hydrogen fuel cells are clean and efficient and will allow us to become more energy independent while reducing carbon emissions. Supporting this bill will give us more options to create jobs in Connecticut, keep America competitive, and reduce pollution. I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this bill.

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