Governor M.
Jodi Rell and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT)
today announced that Connecticut will have a strong presence at the National
Hydrogen Association Annual Hydrogen Conference 2007 and Hydrogen Expo
US on March 19-22, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas.
“This is a great opportunity for
our state to showcase our hydrogen and fuel cell industries,” Governor
Rell said. “Connecticut’s fuel cell and hydrogen companies are national
leaders. We intend to make sure companies and businesses from around the
country know that Connecticut supports these industries and that this is
the state where they should be making or buying fuel cells and hydrogen
equipment.”
The Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell
Coalition will be one of more than 90 exhibitors at the show that is expected
to have more than 1,200 trade show visitors from over 15 countries.
The Connecticut industry presence is designed to showcase the state’s resources
and capabilities, attract businesses to Connecticut, promote the Connecticut
Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, and demonstrate support for the fuel cell
and hydrogen industries in Connecticut.
“Fuel cell and hydrogen technologies
are critical to help solve energy management issues, improve environmental
quality, and provide for Connecticut’s economic prosperity,” said Governor
Rell. “The state is a national model for energy technologies and energy
efficiency.”
This effort was made possible through
a partnership between the members of the Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell
Coalition, including CCAT, the Department of Economic and Community Development,
Connecticut Innovations, Inc., the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center
at the University of Connecticut, and three in-state manufacturers: FuelCell
Energy, UTC Power, and Avalence, LLC.
The Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell
Coalition, which is administered by CCAT, is comprised of representatives
from the fuel cell and hydrogen industries, labor, the Connecticut Clean
Energy Fund, and other stakeholders. The Coalition works to advance the
development, manufacture, and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies
and associated fueling systems in Connecticut and abroad.
Joel Rinebold, Director of Energy
Programs at CCAT and Chair of the Coalition, stated, “We have great companies
and organizations in the Coalition that are working collaboratively to
move Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell industries forward.”
In January, Governor Rell received
a report on the status of the state’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry,
its economic impact, and the market conditions of this emerging technology.
Preliminary studies suggest the total global hydrogen and fuel cell market
is expected to generate $18.6 billion in annual revenues in the next decade.
“Connecticut is uniquely situated
to reap this industry’s rewards,” Governor Rell said.
Connecticut’s fuel cell and hydrogen
industry currently supports 927 direct jobs and 1,221 indirect jobs for
a total of 2,148 jobs statewide. The fuel cell and hydrogen industry supports
approximately 7,000 globally.
Connecticut’s fuel cell and hydrogen
industry generates approximately $29 million annually in state tax revenue;
approximately $2 million annually in local tax revenue and over $340 million
annually in gross state product.
Two of the major fuel cell developers
and manufacturers in the world are located in Connecticut - FuelCell Energy,
Inc. in Danbury and Torrington, and UTC Power in South Windsor. These
companies dominate the fuel cell market for stationary power/distributed
generation for fuel cells greater than 200 kilowatts (kW).
On September 18, Governor Rell unveiled
a bold plan for energy production, conservation and usage for the next
generation. The plan, titled Connecticut’s Energy Vision for a Cleaner,
Greener State, will enhance Connecticut’s status as a national model for
energy technology and conservation, promote the use of biofuels and renewable
forms of energy and reduce the cost of fuel and power to Connecticut families
and businesses.
Governor Rell proposed several next-generation
goals to be achieved by the year 2020, including:
• 20 percent of all energy used
and sold in Connecticut will come from clean or renewable energy sources
• the state will achieve a 20 percent
reduction in energy-peak consumption
• state fossil fuel consumption
will be reduced by 20 percent
• all commercial transportation
fuels sold in the state will be required to include a mixture of 20 percent
alternative fuels
• a mandatory mix of 20 percent
of biofuels in all residential and commercial heating oil
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