Yesterday, felt like a darn near firestorm of comments over my post, showing concern about the warning signs at California's first hydrogen gas station on Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles.
I like many who have seen the signs, expressed concern, which certain readers here put to rest.
So I woke up thinking about our energy needs. And how it makes sense to acknowledge sacrifices and risks in order to get off fossil fuels, which could mean algae, solar, wind, battery-powered and hydrogen-powered cars and more.
Depending on where we live.
Born and bred in California, I know solar is our energy answer. (It's also our problem with growing drought)
Travel to Pacific Northwest, and you see energy powered by water by dams.
Travel to Nova Scotia, and you see energy powered by tidal waves at the Bay of Fundy.
Travel to Denmark, energy by wind.
Travel to Singapore, energy by solar.
And so on...
I think when considering this massive Hydrogen Highway plan, it'd be most useful to focus first on major cities in states (and countries) that don't have access to creating safe, renewable energy.
I'm saying this if funds and resources are limited in the beginning. And I'm thinking they must be limited with our economic climate effecting car manufacturers.
So why don't the GMs and Fords of the world, focus on rolling our their hydrogen vechicles and infrastructure in areas that aren't rich in other natural resources.
And simultaneously work on an all-electric car for areas like California with a plentiful renewable energy source, the sun.
California would focus on solar powered electric cars. We'd have solar powered "gas" stations for our electric cars. And plug-in our cars at a home outlet for those of us with solar roofs... the numbers grow.
California could also have the hydrogen choice for the future, but it makes sense to me to put hydrogen's focus now in areas without plentiful renewable energy.
I realize with California's first hydrogen gas station in my backyard that Los Angeles is already one of chosen major cities on the hydrogen map.
This post is only a suggestion that energy and car companies prioritize a location's geography and renewable energy resource in addition to population when cultivating the best ways to cool our planet and get us off our Middle Eastern oil diet.
To the folks actively promoting hydrogen, as evidenced by my post reactions yesterday, we'll need an education on how hydrogen works and its safety, from a trusted source.
Case in point: Knowing hydrogen can leak, and float up, I don't understand how I'd feel safe having a hydrogen car in my garage, if I live above the garage and say I'm cooking. Plus I'm in earthquake country so... no problem?
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