The hydrogen head-start program is only for electrolysis, so...

The hydrogen head-start program is only for electrolysis, so Hazer does not qualify. I am hoping that this might prove embarrassing for the government, that they have so successfully spent 2 billion dollars to not help the most prospective technology develop. This will become painfully evident as both the Hazer CDP and the Head-Start program get more publicity in the coming months. I am all for government support of industry, and the ARENA grant to Hazer has been critical, but the Head-Start program is a great example of government picking losers.

Don't forget that it is the second reactor that is the design that they intend to scale up for future projects. It seems the process of designing and building the current reactor convinced them some time ago that it is unsuitable for scaling up. As such, the precise production figures probably don't matter that much, but those on the second reactor will be critical. The way I see it, this reactor will be used to produce larger quantities of graphite for testing, and general proof of viability at this next level of production. I would expect it would be changed out as soon as the second reactor arrives.