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Some people are hoping Moffat County could become home to the world's first zero-emission hydrogen plant.

The hydrogen plant is a part of the Bush administration's initiative to convert the country to a hydrogen economy. Any decision about the plant is a long way off, but some people in Colorado are hopeful that the plant could be located here.

"I think it's a real neat opportunity to look into for our community," Commissioner Darryl Steele said.

Colorado is listed as one of the states interested in having the hydrogen plant, said Pattie Snidow of the state Department of Economic Development and International Trade.

"It's a long process," Snidow said. "We'd very much like to see it come to Colorado, but it's going to be very competitive."

The plant would use zero-emissions technology to convert coal into hydrogen, which would be turned into electricity. The plant would include a hydrogen research center.

If the county is to attract the hydrogen plant here, it will need the help of Northwest Colorado's coal mines and Tri-State Generation and Transmission, which runs Craig Power Station.

The government's proposal requires communities to partner with local energy developers to provide 50 percent of the project's cost.

Jim Van Someren, Tri-State spokesman, said his company has not discussed the hydrogen plant proposal.

Tri-State has the ability to expand its power station to include a fourth generation unit, but it would be a difficult and expensive undertaking, Van Someren said.

Such a proposal isn't even included in Tri-State's long-term plans.

A lack of transmission lines would be one issue Moffat County would encounter if it chooses to pursue the hydrogen plant, Snidow said.

"It would require access to the market to sell the electricity, which would require the transmission lines to be upgraded from Moffat County to the Front Range," Snidow said.

Moffat County resident Corrie Scott learned about the project several weeks ago while attending a Bureau of Land Management meeting. She alerted commissioners of the initiative.

"I see no reason why we should not try to have it here," Scott said.

Lacking the transportation corridors of the Front Range and the tourist attractions of resort towns such as Steamboat Springs, Craig needs to focus on developing its energy resources, she said.

"We need to draw from what we have here," Scott said.

The government has not released specific geographic criteria for the hydrogen plant.

Rob Gebhart can be reached at 824-7031 or rgebhart@craigdailypress.com.