Fuel Cell Plan
In the 2006 legislative session, the Connecticut General Assembly passed legislation which directed the Department of Economic and Community Development to contract with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) to develop a Plan for Fuel Cell Economic Development. On May 26, 2006, the Governor signed the legislation into Public Act 06-187.
Public Act 06-187, Section 64 states:
The Department of Economic and Community Development shall contract with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology to develop a plan for fuel cell economic development, in consultation with the Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, the Renewable Energy Investment Fund, established pursuant to subsection (c) of section 16-245n of the 2006 supplement to the general statutes and other appropriate state agencies. The plan shall include a strategy to (1) facilitate the commercialization of hydrogen-based technologies and fuel cells; (2) enhance energy reliability and security; (3) promote the improved efficiency and environmental performance of transportation and electric generation with reduced emissions, reduced greenhouse gases, more efficient use of nonrenewable fuels, and increased use of renewable and sustainable fuels; (4) facilitate the installation of infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, transportation and fueling capability; (5) disseminate information regarding the benefits of hydrogen-based technologies and fuel cells; (6) develop strategies to retain and expand hydrogen and fuel cell industries in Connecticut; (7) in consultation with the Department of Transportation, identify areas within the state transportation system that would benefit from the integration of potential mass transit and fleet transit locations with hydrogen or natural gas and hydrogen mixture refueling stations; and (8) in consultation with electric and natural gas service providers, identify areas in the electric and natural gas distribution system of the state that would benefit from the development of distributed generation through hydrogen or fuel cell technology as a reliability asset necessary for voltage control, grid security, or system reliability, or for the provision of required uninterruptible service at customer sites. On or before January 1, 2007, the department shall submit a preliminary report, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce on the progress of the plan, and on or before January 1, 2008, shall submit a final report, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, on such plan to said committee.
The Plan for Fuel Cell Economic Development has been developed to: (1) identify and assess market conditions for fuel cell and hydrogen technology, including the economic potential for Connecticut; (2) analyze Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry; (3) examine issues and identify proposed solutions; and (4) identify and assess strategies to enhance Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry for increased employment, revenues, and economic development.
CCAT submitted the Plan for Fuel Cell Economic Development to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, consistent with Public Act 06-187, Section 64. For more information about the Plan for Fuel Cell Economic Development, click here.
