THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: First US Hydrogen Refueling Station Opens Amid Protests (ShellNews.net) 10 Nov 04

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

November 10, 2004

WASHINGTON (AP)--Two dozen protesters greeted Mayor Tony Williams and top executives of Shell (SC), who came Wednesday to open North America's first hydrogen refueling station.

Residents living near the station on Benning Road, Northeast, say they're concerned about safety - including terrorism fears. They also don't want the station near an elementary school.

But Williams and other city officials insist it's safe. The mayor also calls hydrogen environmentally friendly, because it leaves a water vapor as its only byproduct.

There are six hydrogen cars in D.C., mainly used by Shell and General Motors (GM) to promote the technology.

Shell officials say if they could do it over again, they would've talked to local residents sooner.