The General Motors Corporation was awarded the Special Member Award for the development of the Chevrolet Sequel, which was unveiled in September 2006.  The Sequel is a technologically advanced automobile with a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system and a broad menu of advanced technologies. The Sequel has an unprecedented range of 300 miles between fill-ups and spirited acceleration, attaining 60 mph in 10 seconds. GM has also announced plans for the largest market test of fuel cell vehicles in the world. "Project Driveway" will entail the loan of 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles to every day  drivers, celebrities, and other dignitaries to gauge interest, consumer reaction, and vehicle performance. To date, GM has invested $1 billion dollars into R&D surrounding hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and aims to design and validate a fuel cell propulsion system by 2010 that is competitive with current combustion systems on durability and performance, and that ultimately can be built at scale affordably. 

Catherine Dunwoody, Executive Director of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, was presented the  Meritorious Service Award for her leadership, professional contributions and personal commitment  to the advancement of hydrogen fuel cell transportation over the past decade.  Under Ms. Dunwoody's direction, the California Fuel Cell Partnership has grown from a vision into a globally  recognized organization that is at the leading edge of  the implementation and commercialization of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen refueling stations. With her  guidance and dedication, CaFCP has pioneered a unique organizational structure that has enabled unprecedented collaborative efforts by public and private interests in advancing fuel cell vehicle technology

The University of South Carolina was given the Dr. Robert M. Zweig Public Education Award for its vast undergraduate and graduate hydrogen program. The program includes over 350 courses of study, and has entered into 15 corporate partnerships and cooperative agreements to advance USC's hydrogen and fuel cell development efforts in Europe, Asia, and North America. USC has sponsored local efforts to create a citizens' school for fuel cell technology, created a hydrogen and fuel cell technology exhibit for a regional children's museum, and is leading a multi-state effort to develop hydrogen and fuel cell educational materials suitable for a range of school audiences in grades K-12.

The NHA presents these awards each year to those  who have helped further the development of the  hydrogen industry. "We applaud these industry and education leaders today because they truly reflect our energy and environmental futures," commented Phil Baxley. "We value their achievements and they inspire us."

The awards luncheon also featured an address by Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, newly-appointed Chair of the California Fuel Cell Partnership and former governing board member of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, who spoke on the dangers of climate change and the need for the implementation of hydrogen technologies in order to combat environmental degradation.

Next year's awards will be presented at the 2008 NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference, March 30 - April 3 at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, CA.

About the National Hydrogen Association
The National Hydrogen Association (NHA) is the Nation's premier hydrogen trade organization led by over 100 companies dedicated to supporting the transition to hydrogen.  Programs are focused on education and outreach, policy, safety and codes and standards.  Since 1989, the NHA has served as a catalyst for information exchange and cooperative projects and continues to provide the setting for mutual support among industry, research and government organizations. 
 
http://www.HydrogenAssociation.org.