Power Breakfast: Atlanta scores clean jobs, multi-modal gets push, DeKalb cuts, senior living, BP, financial reform

There’s good news on the jobs and clean energy front.

Atlanta scored a renewable energy coup Tuesday when HydroPhi Technology Inc., a little-known hydrogen energy company with huge potential, said it will establish its headquarters, R&D center and factory here, AJC staffer Dan Chapman writes.

Eventually, that could create 300 jobs.

HydroPhi’s choice raises Georgia’s alternative-energy profile, Chapman writes. The state is well-known for turning trees into electricity. Suniva, in Norcross, is a respected solar cell producer. GE Energy invests millions of dollars annually in search of a solar, wind or nuclear Holy Grail.

But hydrogen — the most abundant element in the universe — remains largely a commercially unproven commodity, Chapman says. HydroPhi is betting it can reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil and gas, improve the environment and create jobs.

But, Chapman points out, plenty of questions remain: Is the technology feasible? Is it commercially applicable? Will vehicle-makers embrace it? And will hydrogen-powered vehicles be reasonably priced?

Also in the AJC:

• Multi-use passenger terminal in downtown Atlanta seeks developer
• DeKalb cuts positions and then refills some of them
• Atlanta-Macon flights draw light loads, federal dollars
• For Atlanta mayor, picking staff is a process
• John’s Creek backs senior living center proposal
• Roswell makes Money Magazine Top 100

In other media:

• Test delayed on new cap over Gulf oil gusher
• Financial reform bill limps toward Senate vote
• Investors bank on artificial intelligence
• World markets jump after Intel beats expectations

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