On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, the Connecticut Hydrogen Fuel Cell Coalition (CHFCC) held a round table meeting to discuss the status of hydrogen and fuel cell expansion in Connecticut with state officials.
The CHFCC, administered by Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), works to enhance economic growth through the development, manufacture, and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and associated fueling systems in Connecticut. Members of the CHFCC, including UTC Power, FuelCell Energy, Avalence, Precision Combustion, Treadwell Corporation, and Proton OnSite, traveled across Connecticut to attend the meeting and discuss the future expansion of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
As a part of his jobs tour, Governor Dannel P. Malloy addressed representatives from the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, labor, academia, government and other stakeholders at the meeting. He noted the significance of new energy policy, and stressed the importance of alternative energy resources, such as hydrogen and fuel cell technology, in meeting state goals to increase job production, growth and retention throughout the state.
"Connecticut is home to renewable energy technology and innovation that will create state jobs and put the nation on track to reduce the consumption of energy derived from fossil fuels," said Governor Malloy. "I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with industry leaders and discuss how to improve the partnership between government and the state's hydrogen and fuel cell manufacturers. These clean energy sector advances will help reduce overall energy costs while building high-tech capacity in Connecticut–good jobs that will grow our economy."
Other members of the tour who participated in the roundtable discussion included Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Catherine Smith, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Daniel Esty, and DECD Deputy Commissioner Ronald Angelo.
"Connecticut companies continue to lead the world with the research, development and manufacture of hydrogen and fuel cell technology," stated Joel Rinebold, Director of Energy Initiatives at CCAT. "It is of high value that our state government is investing in Connecticut's hydrogen and fuel cell industry to meet pressing needs for job creation, energy management, and environmental protection."
Contact: Elinor Hargreaves 860-282-4283 ehargreaves@ccat.us
ABOUT CCAT The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) helps private and public entities to apply innovative tools and practices to increase efficiencies, improve workforce development and boost competitiveness. CCAT functions as a unique economic development organization that combines expertise in cutting-edge technology with specialized centers of excellence in manufacturing, education, training, energy, and entrepreneurialism. Throughout these efforts, we promote partnership between industry, academia, and government to create a new collaborative framework for addressing 21st-century economic challenges. www.ccat.us
ABOUT CHFCC The Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, is comprised of representatives from Connecticut’s fuel cell and hydrogen industry, labor, academia, government, and other stakeholders. CCAT and the Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition works to enhance economic growth through the development, manufacture, and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and associated fueling systems in Connecticut.