MORGANTOWN , W.Va.West Virginias next stop on the proposedHydrogen Highwaymight be the home of West Virginia University.

Curt M. Peterson, WVU s Vice President of Research and Economic Development said money secured by Sen. Robert C. Byrd could lead to a new hydrogen fueling station similar to the facility that was commissioned at Charlestons Yeager Airport on Aug. 17.

Sen. Byrd included $1.2 million in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill to fund the design and construction of a hydrogen fuel dispensing station in Morgantown in cooperation with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

Peterson said WVU will continue to work with NETL to create the next link in theHydrogen Highway.

There are still a lot of details to cover but the resources and researchers at WVU , including NETL , make Morgantown an ideal spot for a hydrogen fueling station in West Virginia,Peterson said.This project is only part of WVU ’s commitment to addressing Americas energy needs under its Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI)a focused research approach that seeks to use existing fuel sources in a environmentally responsible fashion while developing new alternative fuels.

Peterson commended Sen. Byrds vision and support for the Charleston and Morgantown facilities. He said the projects merit great excitement because it will be like having a fuel refinery and dispensary all in one.

We are about to see a facility that actually generates hydrogen by water electrolysis right here at the same site from which it will be dispensed using electricity generated by coal,he said.Even better, the electrolysis will occur long after most of us are in bed, when the demand for electricity drops.

He noted that expanding the use of hydrogen in personal vehicles can eliminate a major source of carbon emissionscarsand help restrict the generation of carbon to single point sourcespower plantswhere carbon dioxide can more easily be captured, stored and not released into the atmosphere.

Peterson pledged that WVU will continue to research conversion of coal to hydrogen and the development of fuel cells powered by hydrogen.

In addition, the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium headquartered at WVU is planning to evaluate the performance of four hydrogen vehicles that will be fueled at the Yeager facility,Peterson said.Hydrogen as a transportation fuel is a safe alternative to gasoline and diesel; is cleaner for the environment; and can keep coal a vital part of Americas energy mix.