Bill Text: NJ AJR150 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates October 8 of each year as "Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" in NJ.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-10-08 - Approved P.L.2019, JR-22. [AJR150 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR150-Chaptered.html
§§1,2 -
C.36:2-375 &
36:2-376
A Joint Resolution designating October 8 of each year as "Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical substance in the universe; and
Whereas, A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that uses hydrogen or a hydrogen-rich fuel, and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, with water and heat as its only by-products; and
Whereas, Fuel cells utilizing hydrogen or hydrogen-rich fuels are clean, efficient, and resilient technologies that can be used as a primary or backup power source; in zero-emission light duty motor vehicles, buses, and trucks; in heavy duty vehicles used in the logistics industry; and for portable power; and
Whereas, Stationary fuel cells can be used to provide reliable power to both commercial and residential energy consumers; and
Whereas, Hydrogen fuel cell electric light duty motor vehicles, buses, and trucks can replicate the range and refueling times of internal combustion motor vehicles while operating at a higher efficiency and emitting no pollutants; and
Whereas, Fuel cells can be used to power forklifts and port cargo equipment used in the logistics industry, helping businesses in the industry to reduce their environmental impact; and
Whereas, Portable hydrogen fuel cells can provide reliable power in the event of a natural disaster and are useful in areas where the electric power grid is non-existent, unavailable, or unreliable; and
Whereas, An economic analysis conducted by the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster showed that in 2016, New Jersey's hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain provided approximately $54 million in revenue and investment, more than 228 total jobs, over $2.7 million in State and local tax revenue, and about $20 million in labor income; and
Whereas, Given New Jersey's high population density, proximity to major cities, and its relatively high cost of electricity, it is in the best interests of the State to promote and expand the use of efficient, clean, and cost-effective hydrogen and fuel cell technologies; and
Whereas, Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies provide significant opportunities for addressing important energy, environmental, and economic issues in both New Jersey and the United States; and
Whereas, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, celebrated nationally on October 8 to recognize the atomic mass of hydrogen (1.008), brings together industry, academia, national laboratories, government, and other stakeholders to increase awareness of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and their benefits; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. October 8 of each year shall be designated as "Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" in New Jersey to bring together industry, academia, research laboratories, government, and other stakeholders to increase public awareness of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and their benefits to the United States' energy supply, environment, and economy.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation each year calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates October 8 of each year as "Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of the usefulness of hydrogen fuel cell technologies as a way of supplying clean, efficient, and resilient energy. October 8 is designated to recognize these technologies because it matches the atomic weight of hydrogen, which is 1.008.
Hydrogen fuel cells provide a range of benefits that can help address many of the United States' most pressing energy, environmental, and economic issues. Fuel cells use hydrogen, which is the most abundant chemical substance in the universe, or a hydrogen-rich fuel, and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, with the only by-products being water and heat. Fuel cells utilizing hydrogen or hydrogen-rich fuels can be used as a primary or backup power source; in light duty motor vehicles, buses, and trucks; in heavy duty vehicles used in the logistics industry; and for portable power.
In addition to several key energy and environmental benefits that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies offer, the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in New Jersey provides significant contributions to the Northeast region's economy. In 2016, the industry provided approximately $54 million in revenue and investment, more than 228 total jobs, over $2.7 million in State and local tax revenue, and approximately $20 million in labor income. Given New Jersey's high population density, prime location near major cities, and its relatively high cost of electricity, it is in the best interests of the State to promote and expand the use of efficient, clean, and cost-effective hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
Designates October 8 of each year as "Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" in NJ.
