Senator Harry Reid attends the National Clean Energy Summit in Nevada, proclaims the importance of alternative energy

Alternative energy received more political backing this week at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The convention drew together energy experts from around the country to expose them to some of the emerging ideas regarding sustainable fuel and its use. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada was in attendance and delivered a speech during an exhibition of hydrogen-powered vehicles, outlining the importance of energy independence and support of a growing hydrogen industry.

The federal government cut the funding of research and development of hydrogen technology earlier this year. Many called the move short-sighted, as the government pursued other, less promising alternatives to oil. As hydrogen fuel cells became more advanced in a short period of time, the government began changing its tune by throwing renewed support behind the hydrogen industry. This is most apparent in the efforts coming from the Department of Energy to establish a hydrogen infrastructure in California.

Several car manufacturers attended the convention, each showing off their own hydrogen-powered vehicle.

Toyota, a company that has been pioneering the use of hydrogen in the transportation industry, unveiled their fuel cell SUV at the convention. The SUV is the first large hydrogen-powered vehicle to hit the commercial market in coming years, and Toyota is keen to show off a model that has long been considered a consumer favorite.

Senator Reid’s appearance at the convention shows that the government is growing increasingly invested in alternative energies of every kind. The nation may be closer to adopting renewable fuel on a massive scale in the near future, if lawmakers continue to be exposed to this technology.