Hydrogen Economy Prospecting

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Coalition, along with 70 leaders from industry, academia, and the public sector, met in April 2003 with the vision of creating an Illinois industry around future developments in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Based on the recommendations of the group, the Illinois Coalition and DCEO formed a public-private partnership, Illinois 2 H2. These activities led to the publication of a report in March 2004, "The Hydrogen Highway: Illinois' Path to a Sustainable Economy and Environment" which includes numerous recommendations including the establishment of a 'Hydrogen Highway,' a corridor of hydrogen energy demonstration projects situated around I-90, with the purpose of stimulating the Illinois economy and protecting the environment.