U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today called for the Department of Energy's continued support and investment in fuel cell and hydrogen energy programs. In a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu, the senators urged him to maintain funding for these two programs that spur long-term job creation and expansion of new clean energy technology.
"These successful energy programs--like the Stark State Fuel Cell Prototyping Center--are critical to Ohio's economic development and in aiding our nation's energy independence," Brown said. "Fuel cell and hydrogen technologies are on the cusp of revolutionizing the way we use energy in Ohio and we should allocate all possible resources to encourage our state's manufacturers, private sector investors, suppliers, and potential customers to embrace this promising new technology."
"The State of Ohio offers the fuel cell industry unmatched growth potential, Ohio has a great supply chain, a skilled workforce, the R&D strengths, and an enviable partnership with the State of Ohio and the Ohio fuel cell industry," said Pat Valente, Executive Director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. "With continued Federal Support the industry could be creating hundreds of jobs over the next few years. Without support Ohio competitive advantage could evaporate."
"We are grateful to Senators Brown and Graham, and their 12 distinguished colleagues from across the country, for this forceful message of support to preserve American jobs and leadership in the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry," said Ruth Cox, president and executive director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA). "The disproportionate budget cuts proposed by the DOE would seriously undermine American competitiveness in this core clean energy technology--the last such technology in which the U.S. has a technical and manufacturing lead. Our industry is proud to be creating jobs as part of America's growing clean energy economy, and we are even prouder that so many notable Senators are standing up to ensure fuel cells and hydrogen energy remain an integral component of our clean energy portfolio."
According to a report in Forbes Magazines, Ohio is a national leader in fuel cell development with more than 100 companies and organizations based in Ohio. Below is a list of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition Members.
Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition Members
Counties
Hocking College
Athens
Crown Equipment
Auglaize
Central Ohio Technical College
Coshocton, Knox, Licking
NASA Glenn Research Center
Cuyahoga
Technology Management, Inc. (TMI)
Cuyahoga
Die-Matic Corporation
Cuyahoga
GrafTech
Cuyahoga
Timcal Graphite and Carbon
Cuyahoga
Wellman Products
Cuyahoga
The Lanly Company
Cuyahoga
Makel Engineering
Cuyahoga
NorTech (founding sponsor)
Cuyahoga
ElectroSonics Medical Inc.
Cuyahoga
FirstFuelCells.com
Cuyahoga
Case Western Reserve University
Cuyahoga
NexTech Materials
Delaware
Sierra Lobo
Erie, Montgomery
Battelle
Franklin
DJW Technology
Franklin
Edison Welding Institute
Franklin
American Electric Power (AEP)
Franklin
American Municipal Power Inc.
Franklin
Ohio Department of Development (founding sponsor)
Franklin
City of Westerville, Electric Division
Franklin, Delaware
City of Dublin
Franklin, Delaware, Union
Pilus Energy Inc.
Hamilton
University of Cincinnati
Hamilton
University of Toledo
Lucas
Refractory Specialties Inc.
Mahoning
Youngstown State University
Mahoning
EMTEC
Montgomery
Faraday Technology
Montgomery
Mound Technical Solutions
Montgomery
Precision Energy and Technology
Montgomery
Sinclair Community College
Montgomery
Catacel
Portage
Kent State University
Portage
Energy Technologies Inc.
Richland
Gorman-Rupp Industries
Richland
Plug Power
Shelby
Contained Energy
Stark
Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc.
Stark
Stark Development Board
Stark
Stark State College of Technology
Stark
Lockheed Martin
Summit
Item North America
Summit
FirstEnergy
Summit
The University of Akron
Summit
Technical Staffing Professionals
Trumbull
Delphi
Trumbull, Montgomery
Tuscarawas County Port Authority
Tuscarawas
Azbil - Yamatake Sensing Controls
Warren
Today's letter, joined by 12 senators, said that fuel cells and hydrogen energy systems--which are among the DOE's most successful programs--must continue to play an important role in our nation's energy diversification.
These programs have helped decrease the cost of hydrogen refueling infrastructure and fuel cells, including solid oxide fuel cells, while increasing fuel cell efficiency and durability, and familiarizing Americans with these new clean energy technologies. Because of these DOE programs, domestic manufacturers are on the verge of the full-scale commercialization of fuel cell systems and hydrogen energy technologies in stationary, backup power and material handling equipment applications.
Roll Royce Fuel Cell Systems, Inc. consolidated its fuel cell research and development activities at the company's location at Stark State College of Technology in North Canton. In 2009, Brown secured $1 million for Stark State to upgrade the clean room at the Stark State Fuel Cell Prototyping Center. This project brings critical fuel cell technology to Ohio providing students with first-hand training opportunities to advance and commercialize a one-megawatt solid-oxide fuel cell, which when used in stationary power generation, will aid in smart-grid electric power.
Full text of the letter is below.
May 3, 2011
The Honorable Steven Chu
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585-0001
Dear Secretary Chu:
We write today in support of the fuel cell and hydrogen energy programs within the Department of Energy (DOE). With the enactment of the Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) Continuing Resolution, funding for DOE programs have been reduced by five percent for the remainder of the current fiscal year compared to the amount provided by Congress in FY10. We are concerned, however, that further cuts to these two programs would inhibit the long-term diversification of our nation's energy portfolio and stunt the development of American engineered and domestically-produced energy systems powered by hydrogen and fuel cells.
We share your belief that reasonable investments in clean energy technology can spur job creation through the growth of new and emerging American industries. However, funding reductions to fuel cell and hydrogen programs would discourage manufacturers, private sector investors, suppliers, and potential customers from fully embracing this promising new technology.
As you know, the fuel cell and hydrogen energy programs within DOE are among its most successful. Within the Office of Fossil Energy (OFE), the Solid-State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) has met or exceeded every benchmark established by Congress and DOE since its creation. This public-private partnership, in which industry has contributed three dollars for every dollar of government funding, has helped decrease the cost of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) tenfold, while dramatically increasing their efficiency and durability.
Additionally, we believe domestic manufacturers are on the verge of the full scale commercialization of fuel cell systems and hydrogen energy technologies in stationary, backup power and material handling equipment applications, thanks in part to the success of the Fuel Cell Technologies Program within the Office of Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy (EERE). In the case of mobile fuel cells, several auto manufacturers are planning for commercial fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) launches beginning in 2014-2015. This program is helping drive down the cost of fuel cell systems and hydrogen infrastructure, while familiarizing Americans with these new clean energy technologies.
Fuel cells and hydrogen energy systems must continue to play an important role in our nation's energy diversification. From new clean vehicle technology to stand-alone power generation for military installations, universities, and hospitals, fuel cell and hydrogen technologies are on the cusp of revolutionizing the way we use energy in the United States. While the Senate considers the Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations for your agency, we urge you to resist repurposing or cutting these programs that support true energy diversification.
We look forward to working with you on this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown Lindsey Graham
United States Senator United States Senator
Joseph I. Lieberman Ron Wyden
United States Senator United States Senator
Max Baucus Patty Murray
United States Senator United States Senator
Charles Schumer Jon Tester
United States Senator United States Senator
Debbie Stabenow Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator United States Senator
Richard Blumenthal Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator United States Senator
Maria Cantwell Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator United States Senator