The government would offer a series of cash prizes for innovations in hydrogen energy under a bill the House passed Wednesday.

The bill (HR 632), by Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., would be intended to bring clean-burning hydrogen-powered vehicles closer to reality. It passed by a 408-8 vote. “The future possibilities of this energy source are enormous,” Lipinski said.

Hydrogen emits no pollutants when burned, but its storage and transportation present technological challenges.

The government-sponsored competition, which would be called the “H-Prize,” is modeled after the programs of the Ansari X Prize Foundation, which gives multimillion-dollar awards to teams that achieve specific scientific and engineering goals.

Lipinski pointed out that such prizes continue a tradition dating back to famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh, competing against other aviators, attempted his most well-known feat — the first successful solo, nonstop flight between New York City and Paris — in an effort to win a $25,000 purse.

Every two years, H-Prizes worth $1 million would be given in four categories: production, storage, distribution and utilization. One $4 million prize would be awarded for hydrogen vehicles. At the end of 10 years, a $10 million grand prize would be given for a “transformational advance in hydrogen energy technology.”

Lipinski’s measure would authorize $52 million total for the competition, including $2 million in administrative costs, from fiscal 2008 through 2017. The Energy Department would be directed to contract with a nonprofit entity to administer the contest and set criteria for the prizes.

The House Science and Technology Committee approved the bill May 23.