"Premier Gordon Campbell has committed the Province to supporting the hydrogen and fuel cell sector and making British Columbia a global leader in the emerging hydrogen economy," said Neufeld. "This funding shows we are delivering on the promise to support this industry. Hydrogen and fuel cell development is driving new private sector investment in British Columbia, providing both jobs and technology for a healthier and more prosperous future."

The funding will jumpstart critical elements of industry's "BC Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy - An Industry Vision For Our Hydrogen Future", and leverage additional investment from industry, the federal and municipal governments. Fuel Cells Canada, a national industry association based in Vancouver, will administer the funds.

The strategy was prepared by an industry steering committee for the Premier's Technology Council (PTC). The PTC, made up of 21 members from the private sector and academia, was established in August 2001 to provide advice to Premier Campbell on all technology-related issues facing British Columbia. The aim of the council is to make the province a global magnet for high technology investment, growth and job creation.

Key elements of the strategy include:

    * Integration of provincial and national hydrogen and fuel cells strategies.
    * Development of the "Hydrogen Highway", a series of at least seven hydrogen fueling nodes between Victoria, Vancouver and Whistler.
    * Investing in the development of a centre of excellence in hydrogen and fuel cell research.
    * Developing global markets through an international marketing strategy.

"This strategy provides a clear roadmap to ensure British Columbia maintains its position as a world-leading hydrogen and fuel cell cluster in the emerging global energy landscape," said Louise Comeau, president of Fuel Cells Canada. "In partnership with a broader national hydrogen and fuel cell strategy, B.C. and Canada are leading the way in demonstrating and deploying innovative fuel cell and hydrogen technology."

"The B.C. Strategy envisions British Columbia as the world's pre-eminent hydrogen economy by 2020," said Denis Connor, chair of the BC Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy steering team and chair of the Hydrogen HighwayTM. "The valuable commitment to innovative technologies by the Province of British Columbia, and ongoing collaboration with industry and academics, will be essential to achieving this goal."

The industry committee that prepared the report included representatives from Angstom Power, Ballard Power Systems, BC Hydro, Methanex, Chrysalix Energy Limited, Fuel Cells Canada, the National Research Council, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, QuestAir Technologies and the Institute of Integrated Energy Studies at the University of Victoria.