{"id":4648,"date":"2021-02-13T09:51:45","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T14:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.respectmyplanet.org\/publications\/?p=4648"},"modified":"2026-01-18T12:11:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T17:11:41","slug":"committee-passes-hawkins-bill-promoting-hydrogen-fcevs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.respectmyplanet.org\/publications\/fuel-cells\/committee-passes-hawkins-bill-promoting-hydrogen-fcevs","title":{"rendered":"Committee Passes Hawkins Bill Promoting Hydrogen FCEVs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sen. Brad Hawkins\u2019 proposal to promote hydrogen-powered vehicles, the first Senate bill of the 2021 legislative session, is now also among the first measures to be approved by a Senate committee.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee<\/a>\u00a0on Thursday approved\u00a0Senate Bill 5000<\/a>, which would establish an eight-year statewide pilot project for the reduction of sales tax on purchases of fuel-cell electric vehicles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pleased that the committee passed this bill so early,\u201d said Hawkins, who serves the 12th Legislative District. \u201cThe bill received a positive response during its public hearing, and I\u2019m hopeful it will continue moving forward this session. The bill is off to a terrific start but still has a ways to go in the weeks ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 5000, which has bipartisan support and nearly 30 co-sponsors, has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for further consideration.<\/p>\n

Back in 2019, the Legislature approved Hawkins-sponsored\u00a0Senate Bill 5588<\/a>, which authorizes public utility districts to produce and sell \u201crenewable hydrogen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people of North Central Washington have been leaders in clean energy for decades and new state efforts to promote renewable hydrogen and zero-emissions vehicles will help us continue our innovative work,\u201d said Hawkins. He added, \u201cNorth Central Washington is in a real position to lead the state and perhaps the entire United States on renewable hydrogen use in transportation, from production, distribution, vehicles, buses, short haul agriculture, and other opportunities locally. It\u2019s pretty exciting when you think big about it. Our region has a long and proud history of thinking big about clean energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hydrogen can be created from a process that separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water. The Douglas County Public Utility District in Hawkins\u2019 district plans to utilize its surplus hydropower to do just that, creating renewable hydrogen from excess renewable hydropower and possibly also building hydrogen fueling stations.<\/p>\n

SB 5000<\/a>\u00a0aims to extend a similar exemption on vehicle sales tax that purchasers of traditional electric vehicles receive. With the first hydrogen-fueling stations in Washington expected to be operational by 2022, the bill would allow a total of 650 vehicles to receive a 50-percent sales tax exemption in fiscal years 2023 through 2029.<\/p>\n

Even though hydrogen vehicles are newer to the market and slightly more expensive due to having not been in mass production nationwide, they have shown tremendous promise given how quickly they refuel and the limited infrastructure required to get the fuel to the station.<\/p>\n

Hawkins said his bill would help establish important parity between fuel-cell electric vehicles and traditional plug-in electrics.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our efforts to promote carbon-free vehicles, our state policies should be \u2018technologically neutral\u2019 so that we can give ourselves varied opportunities to reduce emissions and not unintentionally bias ourselves in the process,\u201d Hawkins said. \u201cSimilar to diesel and gas, maybe there will always be multiple fuel sources for next-generation cars or maybe someday hydrogen vehicles will be the preferred choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

What the bill\u2019s supporters are saying:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thankful for Senator Hawkins\u2019 leadership for renewable hydrogen. His support has created an opportunity for us to increase efficiencies at our Wells Hydroelectric Project and increase value for our customers.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Molly Simpson, Douglas County PUD Commission President<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe Renewable Hydrogen Alliance is proud to support the expansion of clean vehicle incentives to fuel cell electric cars just as Washington begins creating clean hydrogen from the state\u2019s ample supply of renewable electricity.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Ken Dragoon, Executive Director of the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be critical to the future of a decarbonized transportation sector. This bill is a meaningful step to ensuring the state incentivizes a portfolio approach to electrifying Washington\u2019s transportation sector. WSHA could not be more pleased to support Senator Hawkins in this effort.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Roxana Bekemohammadi, Executive Director of the Western States Hydrogen Alliance<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSenator Hawkins\u2019 pilot incentive program is an important first step to help accelerate the adoption of hydrogen, fuel cell and electrification accessibility in Washington state.\u00a0Paving the way for emissions-free technologies will further generate awareness, interest and acceptance in communities seeking cleaner options.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Doug Murtha, Group Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Planning at Toyota Motor North America\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we work to reduce transportation emissions in Washington state, incentivizing clean energy through an increased use of hydrogen could play a significant role toward accomplishing our climate goals. I look forward to working across the aisle with Senator Hawkins on this policy, and to continue protecting our state\u2019s incredible natural environment.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Sen. Liz Lovelett, 40th<\/sup>\u00a0District, D-Anacortes, Lead Co-Sponsor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are links to news stories or other helpful information about this bill:<\/strong><\/p>\n