SolarAccess.com]
An estimated 1,000 members of Congress,
congressional staff, federal officials, business executives and news
media representatives filled the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill for
the US Fuel Cell Council's 4th Annual Congressional Fuel Cell Expo on
June 22, 2004. More than 35 fuel cell industry leaders exhibited at the
event, which was held in the Cannon House Office Building.
Support for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies crosses party lines, and
this year's Expo received bi-partisan sponsorship from Congressional
leaders: Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT), Rep. John Larson (D-CT), Sen. Conrad
Burns (R-MT) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). Rep. Johnson, Rep.
Larson, and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18th) were on-hand to give
remarks to attendees. In her remarks, Rep. Johnson said she is
"very proud of the progress you've madeýto demonstrate the power
of fuel cells." EXPO co-sponsor Rep. Larson said fuel cells are the
path forward "as we seek to extricate ourselves from the policies
that keep us dependant on foreign oil." Rep. Jackson Lee, who is on
the House Science Committee, said "We need a continued
commitment" to fuel cells, and "we must not shun any
technology that will make us [energy] independent."
"The fuel cell industry is proud of our track record in working
hand in hand with our government partners to ensure that as a nation, we
are making the right value-added investments that will accelerate our
work and quickly bring a hydrogen economy to fruition," said George
Earle, director of hydrogen infrastructure for Plug Power, and president
of the US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC). He added, the Congressional Fuel
Cell EXPO is "a time when our industry group comes together here to
showcase our products, share our vision for the future, and inform our
friends in Washington about the progress we are making to build a better
tomorrow."
Many members of Congress, their staff, and other federal officials took
advantage of the opportunity to drive the General Motors Hydrogen 3 Opel
Zafira minivan, and to ride on the Vectrix, a fuel cell scooter
prototype developed by Parker Hannifin.
On Monday, June 21, USFCC hosted a reception for member companies and
invited Congressional representatives, their staff and federal
officials. At the reception, the Council presented the US Fuel Cell
Council's 2003 Pathfinder Award to Dr. Charles Ke, Chief of the Science
Group, for the U.S. DOT Research and Special Projects Agency Office of
Hazardous Materials Technology. The Pathfinder Award recognizes
individuals whose efforts have an important impact on the fuel cell
industry. Dr. Ke has worked closely with the Council on issues regarding
the transport of fuel cells and fuels on airplanes, seen as critical for
moving micro fuel cell technology applications forward.
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