The best kept secret in South Carolina is that our alternative energy development is quite progressive for, you know, South Carolina. Most non-Palmetto Staters think of us as one of the most regressive, overly-conservative states in the South; which is fine, because nobody really cares what they think, anyway.

For the most part, I guess I would have to admit that they’re right (see: public education), except when it comes to innovative energy ideas. Shocking, right?

And now, we have hopped feet-first onto the hydrogen-power bandwagon with a spiffy new eco-friendly pickup truck (pictured above parked in typical SC fashion — illegally).

[T]he Palmetto State’s Center for Hydrogen Research (CHR) and Phoenix-based electric-vehicle-charging company eTec, which was bought by Ecotality in November, announced Friday that they’ve registered the first hydrogen-powered car in the state.

Moreover, this is no ordinary-looking, sedan-style hydrogen vehicle — it’s a Chevy Silverado pick-up truck! Somehow, it seems fitting.

“To the average person, very little will appear different under the hood,” said Fred Humes of the CHR last November, when the collaboration between CHR and eTec was announced [...]

[T]he news underlines the state’s commitment to hydrogen. After all, the CHR is the largest hydrogen-research center in the United States. And South Carolina committed $15 million for hydrogen and fuel-cell research in August.

Facing numerous technology and business challenges, including high cost, fuel-cell vehicles are still years — and some say decades — away from commercialization (see Ballard Auto Business For Sale and Daimler, Ford Buy Ballard’s Auto Business).

But South Carolina hopes to be on the forefront of hydrogen research if or when that day comes. Perhaps it fits in with the state’s motto: Animis Opibusque Parati, or Prepared in Mind and Resources. [MARISA TAYLOR - Greentech Media]

As I’ve said before, I’m a huge fan of alternative fuel sources. But not because I care about saving the environment or some other grandiose pipe dream. Quite the contrary.

I’m more worried about our absurd dependence on oil that is filling the piggy banks of the Venezuelan and Saudi governments (among others) and incurring us a great deal of debt to wonderful countries like China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. This problem would instantly disappear with the increased use of any alternative fuel source.

For those of you interested in supporting South Carolina’s search for a sustainable energy source, check out the SC Biomass Council. To borrow form the great Stephen Colbert, I’m a member, and so can you!