In a May 2 letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) – both of the Senate Appropriations Committee – called for DOE’s continued support of and investment in fuel cell and hydrogen energy programs.
The senators urged Chu to maintain funding for these two programs, which, they said already had suffered cutbacks – and which, in the current economy, could spur long-term job creation and expansion of new clean-energy technology.
“With the enactment of the Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) Continuing Resolution, funding for DOE programs [has] been reduced by 5 percent for the remainder of the current fiscal year,” they said. “We are concerned, however, that further cuts … 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. “
Brown and Graham reminded Chu that the effects of stunting these two new technologies would be pervasive. “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.”
The letter was written by Brown and Graham on behalf of 12 of their colleagues – including Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-CT), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Sen. Patty Murray(D-WA), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. Debbie Stabenow(D-MI), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (DF-CT), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA).
In a press release on his own website, Brown further commented, “These successful energy programs –like the Stark State Fuel Cell Prototyping Center [at Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio] – are critical to [my state’s] economic development and in aiding our nation’s energy independence.”
Brown is a strong supporter of the Stark State public/private initiative, in which Roll Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US), 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.
Ohio has, for the past few years, been trying to move beyond it “Rust Belt” past to a “Tech Belt” future – now claiming to have the nation’s 4th highest clean-energy jobs growth rate.
“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, a consortium of industry, academic, and government leaders, based in Cleveland. “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 (News - Alert), president and executive director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), an industry advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.
“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,” warned Cox. “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.”
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell
