Chapter 11 - U.S. Hydrogen Activities— A European Perspective

Abstract

This chapter discusses the comparison between European and the US approach towards hydrogen activities, both at the federal and California levels. The European Union hydrogen commitment is similar to the US in that it represents an economic and political collaboration of states. However, individual European states are much more independent than states in the US, and the parliament has much less formal power than the US Congress. The executive branch of the European Union (EU) is called the European Commission (EC). This comparison of the US. and EU approaches is divided into two issues: process and content. In the first place, in the United States, the Bush Administration is acting as the director of the process, while in the EU the EC is acting more like a facilitator. The Bush Administration has apparently selected hydrogen as the long-term energy choice, and it is eager to direct the whole process. The Commission stated a much weaker commitment to hydrogen, reflecting differences in opinion about the hydrogen issue among the EU member countries. Secondly, the US used an open process consulting with diverse groups in conducting the vision and roadmap process whereas the EU High Level Group was closed and less diverse. Finally, the US has chosen a structured approach proceeding stepwise from a basic resolution to a vision, roadmap, implementation plan, and external review. The structure of the process in the EU is not yet clear. There is no formal resolution or decision about hydrogen. In short, the US process can be characterized as a strongly directed, relatively open process with many stakeholders involved and with a predefined and fairly logical structure. The EU process might be characterized as ad hoc and fragmented.