State Seeks $20 Million For Hybrid Buses, Fuel Cells
The state is applying for nearly $20 million in federal stimulus money to pay for hybrid buses and fuel cell generators, a potentially potent investment for Connecticut, where the money would boost the state’s concentration of fuel cell manufacturers.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Friday the state would use $10 million of the stimulus money, which would be administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, to upgrade 63 new buses to hybrid drive systems. The state is also seeking $9 million to build a storage facility for its fuel cell buses and buy stationary fuel cells for bus centers in Hartford, New Haven and Stamford that would supply most of the centers’ electricity needs.
“The funds will allow us to put more energy-efficient buses on the roads and provide ‘green energy’ at our three busiest CTTransit facilities,” Rell said in a statement Friday. “Our state continues to be a leader in green technology and the jobs it provides.”
Connecticut is home to one of the country’s larger concentrations of fuel cell manufacturers, including South Windsor-based UTC Power, a division of United Technologies Corp., and Danbury-based FuelCell Energy. State Transit Director Michael Sanders said each stationary fuel cell will likely cost about $1 million.
In an unrelated announcement Friday, FuelCell Energy said it has sold a power plant to a northern California county that will be used to power all of the county jails and their offices.
Connecticut’s bus service has been operating two hybrid buses since 2003, creating a “great deal of in-state expertise on hybrid drive systems,” Rell said. State transit has also been operating a bus equipped with a UTC Power fuel cell since 2006 and is expected to put at least four more fuel cell buses on the road within a year.
The stationary fuel cells, which use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, will allow the state’s bus facilities to generate their own emission-free electricity, particularly during hours of peak demand, when the state is forced to pay premium prices for power.
A UTC spokeswoman said Friday that the company is looking forward to bidding on the three stationary fuel cells the state would install as part of the application.
The federal Department of Transportation has about $100 million in federal stimulus money to administer. Rell said she expects a decision on Connecticut’s application by Sept. 1.
The funding would complement $152.7 million in other stimulus money awarded to Connecticut that, among other things, is being used to buy 136 diesel and diesel-electric hybrid buses.
Congressional Briefing: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Transportation – the Future is Arriving
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Transportation – the Future is Arriving
Industries, along with federal and state governments, have invested nearly $5 billion in the development and demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Many studies by DOE, the National Academies and industry have clearly shown the technical barriers that need to be overcome and the pathways to commercial success. Considerable progress has been made in identifying and solving key technical problems. Early market applications like portable and backup power, materials handling equipment and municipal buses are growing, building technical bridges to more widespread market applications – especially in the transportation sector.
The greatest gains in end use efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions will come with mass markets – Zero Emission Vehicles running on domestic hydrogen. Some 350-380 million light duty vehicles could be on U.S. roads by 2050, yet today’s fleet of some 230 million gasoline vehicles emit over a third of all our CO2. Replacing oil and taking the auto out of the environmental equation is a complex and lengthy undertaking, and a balanced portfolio is critical if government’s leadership role in research, development and demonstration is to achieve real value. Consequently, the FY 10 DOE Budget Request to zero hydrogen programs is of serious concern.
Our speakers are at the leading edge of industry action. Key Members of Congress will be making remarks. Please join us for a timely discussion.
- Keith Cole, Director of Advanced Technology Vehicle Strategies and Legislative Affairs, General Motors
- Edward Cohen, Vice President, Government and Industry Relations, American Honda Motor Co.
- Robert Wimmer, National Manager, Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Energy and Environmental Research, Toyota Motor North America
- Edward Kiczek, Director of Global Business, Hydrogen Energy Systems, Air Products and Chemicals
- Panel discussion and a question and answer session will follow.
Moderator will be Jerome Hinkle, Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs at NHA – please contact us for further information at (202) 223-5547 or visit www.hydrogenassociation.org . RSVPs unnecessary.
