Michigan officials break ground on NextEnergy center

Detroit December 11, 2002: David Runk writing for the AP reported that Michigan state and local officials gathered Tuesday in the city that put the world on wheels to highlight opportunities they see in a future without the internal combustion engine.

Gov. John Engler joined Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and automotive industry leaders in breaking ground on a center for fuel cell development. Engler and Kilpatrick both hope it will help foster a new era for carmakers and the Motor City.

"We've got to be up to date, we've got to be current and we've got to lead the way," Engler said at the site of the NextEnergy Center at Wayne State University's Research and Technology Park. "That's what this center is all about."

The center -- a 40,000-square-foot research facility -- was approved by the Legislature earlier this year. Engler proposed NextEnergy legislation in April as a way for Michigan to become the global hub for alternative energy development.

Construction at the site is expected to begin in the spring and the target for completion is the summer of 2004.

Kilpatrick praised Engler for having the foresight to support the development of technology that could eventually replace gasoline and other fossil fuels. And he said NextEnergy is an important part of the revitalization of Detroit.

"This is a huge step in the right direction for the city," Kilpatrick said.

The center -- part of the three-year, $52 million NextEnergy project -- will include space for a laboratory, product development and exhibition areas as well as office space. Officials hope it will promote innovation in the energy industry and bring jobs to the state.

"It is indeed an effort to make this research and technology park known throughout the nation and ... throughout the world," said Wayne State President Irvin Reid.

During his State of the State address in January, Engler had said it was imperative that Michigan embrace fuel cell technology or risk losing thousands of jobs and millions of dollars.

The major automakers all are working on some type of fuel cell vehicle. The technology creates electric power from hydrogen and is viewed by the industry and environmentalists as a possible alternative to fossil fuels.

The only tailpipe emissions from fuel cell vehicles that use pure hydrogen is water vapor. Harmful emissions are less than those from internal combustion engines even if gasoline or other fossil fuels are used in a fuel cell vehicle.