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To the Editor: 

I have to respond to John Dyra's comments (Forum, Nov. 13) about hydrogen power. Mr. Dyra suggests that we can capture unused “green” energy during non-peak periods and use it to make hydrogen. Hydrogen can then be used in fuel cell vehicles which will replace internal combustion vehicles and realize all sorts of benefits to society. He is absolutely correct, and in the future we may just do so. But that is not how hydrogen is being made at this time. Hydrogen is currently made from burning oil and gas. Therefore, the point of my original letter to the editor is still valid: AC Transit should only convert to hydrogen powered buses in the interests of research. At this time, they are seeing a research vehicle that is causing more pollution than the vehicle it replaced. 

I will add that before internal combustion vehicles are replaced, it makes more sense for hydrogen power to replace oil and gas burning power plants simply for distribution reasons. However, power plants are not as sexy as hydrogen powered vehicles, so that is what everyone talks about. 

To further ruffle feathers: those in power think that alternative energy can never supply 100 percent of our energy – there just aren't that many opportunities to make it, especially once the Sierra Club tears down all the dams. (The foregoing from the former Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt). That leaves oil and when its all used up, nuclear power. It would be ironic if supporting hydrogen power was indirectly supporting nuclear power. 

Greg Hoff 

Oakland