The fuel cell industry has asked Congress and the incoming Obama administration to set aside $1.2 billion in the planned stimulus package for fuel cells and their fuels.
The U.S. Fuel Cell Council (USFCC)–an industry association dedicated to fostering the commercialization of fuel cells–said the investment would dramatically accelerate deployment of green energy technology, create an estimated 24,000 renewable energy jobs and fight back against global climate change.
The USFCC plan calls for funding of programs in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) at levels approved for fiscal year 2010. The Council said with the addition of other previously authorized funds the $1.2 billion investment would put hundreds of fuel cell vehicles on the road and up to 100 megawatts (MW) of fuel cell power into customers’ hands, while reaping efficiency, environmental and security benefits.
Some elements in the plan include:
- $100 million to support public and private sector purchases and leases of fuel cells and infrastructure for stationary, portable and micro fuel cells.
- $65 million for federal grants and tax credits aimed at creating an infrastructure for hydrogen and other fuel cell fuels.
- $375 million to fund real-world demonstration projects for evaluating fuel cell systems.
- $100 million to help fuel cell companies overcome tight credit markets in order to invest in manufacturing capacity.
- $350 to boost hydrogen and fuel cell research at universities, national laboratories and in the private sector.
- $180 million to fund the deployment of fuel cell powered buses.
Visit the USFCC website below to read the full plan.
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