Among the long-term solutions is a section of the bill offered by State Rep. Barry R. Finegold (D-Andover) that establishes the 'Massachusetts Fuel Cell Partnership.' This intends to accelerate the development and deployment of commercially viable fuel cell and related hydrogen production. Hydrogen technology is widely-viewed to be the alternative to fossil fuels.

The partnership calls for growth and development of a fuel cell industry cluster in the Commonwealth. Companies, academic institutions, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and trade associations, including the Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, will participate in the partnership. One of the goals of this partnership is to leverage federal research and funding sources to improve the competitiveness of Massachusetts entities.

There are approximately 80 Massachusetts based companies, organizations and universities working directly on hydrogen and fuel cells.
      
"This is an important step that we are taking toward someday being able to fuel cars with hydrogen," commented Finegold, who urged his colleagues to pass the legislation in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives.

"We can no longer afford to consume 25 percent of the world's oil when we only make up 5 percent of the world's population. There are major economic and geopolitical concerns surrounding our dependence on foreign oil. If we continue on this trend, and we reach a point where we are using 25 billion barrels of oil each year, the slightest price alternation will have dramatic effects on our economy. Even a slight increase of $10 per barrel, which today is not inconceivable in this increasingly volatile market, will result in $250 billion flowing from our country to foreign businesses."

This measure will also develop job opportunities in Massachusetts, said Finegold. "It is important that we encourage the ingenuity of our own people and that we attract leaders in the energy sector to come to Massachusetts to work on these initiatives," added Finegold.

Brad Bradshaw, president of Velerity, a Beverly-based consultant firm on the energy sector, stated that this component of the legislation will make Massachusetts competitive with other parts of the country who are forging ahead with hydrogen energy initiatives.

"The legislation is a critical first step for Massachusetts to compete effectively for jobs in this important high growth clean energy sector," commented Bradshaw, who met earlier this week with Governor Romney to discuss hydrogen energy initiatives in the state. "The market and jobs in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector is growing rapidly around the nation and around the world, and Massachusetts cannot fall behind. Other states such as Connecticut, New York, Ohio, California and Florida are aggressively promoting their capabilities and attracting companies and capital. With the highest density of companies and organizations of any state in the country, Massachusetts cannot let this important opportunity for high paying jobs and economic growth slip between our fingers."

"This is essential to meeting not only our short-term needs, but also our long-term goals, in the area of energy," said Representative Finegold. "Massachusetts has always been a leader among the country's business and technology communities and now we have the potential to be leaders in the global community."