(a) The Department of Transportation shall consult with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. to develop a plan to implement zero-emissions buses state-wide. Such plan shall include the technological, facility and financial arrangements needed for such a conversion of bus fleets as well as identifying specific locations for hydrogen refueling stations along state highways or at locations that could potentially be utilized by state fleets or other public or private-sector fleets. This shall be part of a larger collaborative effort between the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. to identify strategies to expand the availability and use of hydrogen fuel and renewable energy sources within any such corridor or around such a centralized fleet fueling location. Said plan shall be completed within available appropriated funds designated for the purpose of studying or designing clean fuel or alternative fuel solutions.

(b) Said plan shall be completed and submitted to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy, environment and transportation not later than December 31, 2010, subject to the availability of study funds from readily available and already appropriated sources of funding.

(c) Such hydrogen refueling stations identified in the plan shall provide fuel for zero emissions vehicles at appropriate pressures and volumes identified by Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. The study shall consider technologies for generating hydrogen which will use products principally manufactured and assembled in the state.

(d) The plan shall also examine appropriate available funding from the state or federal government for purchasing zero-emissions buses and constructing any recommended hydrogen fueling facilities from funds designated for the purpose of encouraging clean fuel or alternative fuel use. Any funding plans developed within the study for the establishment of zero-emissions bus fleets and hydrogen refueling corridors or centralized fueling facilities shall be provided in a manner to encourage federal and private cost sharing.

(P.A. 09-186, S. 8.)