Fairfield Economic Development

Hydrogen Fueling Station Opens in Aiken County

March 31, 2009

Aiken County, the Economic Development Partnership and the Center for Hydrogen Research announced the opening of a hydrogen fueling station at Sage Mill Industrial Park today [March 30]. Bobby Harrell, Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, was among many local dignitaries and community leaders attending. The announcement in Aiken County heralded the ribbon cutting on the South Carolina Hydrogen Freeway between Aiken and the Columbia Hydrogen Fueling Station.

“This announcement of the Hydrogen Fueling Station in Aiken and the one in Columbia is of tremendous importance to the economy of South Carolina,” Harrell told attendees. “This will grow jobs and make South Carolina a leader in hydrogen energy in the nation and the world. But even more important than that, this is about making the United States of America free of foreign oil. Folks mark this day down. You were here when energy independence of South Carolina and the US started.”

The Sage Mill facility is unique in that it is located in an advanced manufacturing park. Bridgestone/Firestone, located at Sage Mill, is currently using hydrogen fuel cell forklifts and the new station will contribute to the development of hydrogen infrastructure in Aiken County.

The Honorable J. Roland Smith, chairman of the Aiken County Legislative Delegation, said everyone in Aiken County can be proud of their participation in the development of hydrogen technologies here. “Hydrogen technology was developed right here during the Cold War and today Aiken County remains on the cutting edge of its promise of clean, abundant energy for our country.”

Aiken County Council Chairman Ronnie Young added: "We are fortunate to have a technology base in Aiken County that we can leverage into new jobs and industries for the future. The availability of hydrogen cars depends on the commitment of this nation to energy independence and energy security along with the price of a barrel of oil. Aiken County has the opportunity to lead the way in this new technology and will not stand by the roadside as others capitalize on hydrogen and fuel cell technology. This is evidenced by Aiken County Council's foresight to develop the Savannah River Research Campus and the Center for Hydrogen Research."

John C. Troutman, Chairman, Economic Development Partnership said: “What this day represents is a vision that South Carolina and Aiken County can be a leader in securing energy security and independence from foreign oil through hydrogen technology. The Sage Mill Hydrogen Fueling Station is evidence of state and a community moving forward to solve one of the biggest challenges facing our country today.”

Center for Hydrogen Research’s Chevy Silverado was fueled with hydrogen as was a Kia Borrego that runs on hydrogen before both drove to the Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative’s opening of the Columbia hydrogen fueling station this afternoon. The ceremonious drive officially opened the South Carolina Hydrogen Freeway.

At the Sage Mill ribbon cutting, Dr. Shannon Baxter-Clemmons, director of the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance highlighted the state’s new capability to fuel hydrogen vehicles.

"It is logical that a number of stations in the surrounding states could be established in the coming years, forming a grid that will spread out around the Southeast and the country,” said Fred Humes, Director of the Economic Development Partnership.

The Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge sees the Columbia station serving as a hub around which a network of follow-on projects with private, public and military researchers and customers can be designed and executed.