Mar 17 - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Dan Uhlinger The Hartford Courant, Conn.

Connecticut

A bill working its way through the state legislature would earmark about $40 million over the next five years to guide the state toward energy independence through the use of fuel cells and other hydrogen technologies.

About half of the money would be given to the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology in East Hartford to develop a "hydrogen highway roadmap" for widespread commercialization and use of fuel cells throughout the state.

The other $20 million would go to Connecticut Innovations Inc., a quasi-public agency, which would work with the state public works department to establish a program for getting fuel cells installed in public buildings and facilities.

Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and are generally seen as a clean and efficient way to generate power. But the cost of such power has been high compared with electricity generated by conventional means.

The legislature's commerce committee unanimously approved the bill this week and sent it to the floor of the Senate.

Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Hartford, committee chairman, said the bill represents a "huge step toward Connecticut's energy independence, environmental quality and high-tech job growth."

Joel Rinebold, director of energy programs for the center, said part of its work would be to develop a transportation plan for the state. The plan would include the mapping of sites for hydrogen fueling stations for fuel-cell powered vehicles and mass transit deployed by the state.

"It's like building a house," Rinebold said. "We are the architects of our own energy plan. The blueprint will enable Connecticut to realize the benefits that hydrogen and fuel cells hold for the state's economy, environment and energy security."

Emily Smith, managing director of government relations for Connecticut Innovations, told the commerce committee last week that the bill was a bold proposal calling for a fuel cell demonstration project for state buildings and facilities.

Smith said Connecticut Innovations has funded six commercial fuel cell installations and is working on a pre-development fuel cell project that would result in the country's largest fuel cell installation. She said the group's expertise would ensure the success of the state project.

LeBeau said the impact of Connecticut's investment in fuel cell technology could not be overstated.

"Connecticut is the undisputed world leader in fuel-cell manufacturing, with 15 percent of the global market. We're also in the very difficult position of having a statewide energy crisis and a lagging job market. What better way to solve our energy dependence needs and grow good-paying, high-tech jobs than to invest in the kind of Yankee ingenuity that made Connecticut famous?" he said.