East Hartford, Conn. (PRWEB) January 18, 2014 -- Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), the Connecticut Hydrogen Fuel Cell Coalition, and Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster will provide organizational and technical support for a briefing to Connecticut state legislators about the technical and economic viability of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The briefing, which is open to the public, will be held Tuesday, January 21 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 2B of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
The briefing will focus on measures to improve energy reliability, increase environmental protection, and create more jobs in the state. It will be part of an Informational Hearing sponsored by the Legislative Commerce Committee, co-chaired by State Senator Gary LeBeau and State Representative Chris Perone, and the Legislative Energy and Technology Committee, co-chaired by State Senator Bob Duff and State Representative Lonnie Reed. After the briefing, legislators will be provided an opportunity to drive “zero emission” hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as part of a “Ride and Drive.”
Top executives from Connecticut's hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain will highlight the economic potential of their businesses, progress with hydrogen and fuel cell technology, and specific action items that are necessary to maintain Connecticut’s position as the nation’s fuel cell leader.
“This is a manufacturing industry cluster based in Connecticut that makes clean energy technology for export,” commented Joel Rinebold, energy director, CCAT, who helped organize the briefing to educate legislators on the importance of this industry for job creation and meeting emissions standards. “Investment in this industry will produce local jobs while serving a global market.”
State Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker will also join in the Industry Briefing.
Connecticut participates in the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program, which is expected to drive sales of highly efficient electric vehicles, including fuel cell vehicles. Eight states including Connecticut have signed a Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding that sets a goal to place 3.3 million ZEVs on the road by 2025. Approximately 80,000 electric and fuel cell electric vehicles are expected to be deployed in Connecticut by 2025. Fuel cell electric vehicles are manufactured by companies such as Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Daimler AG, and Hyundai. Representatives from automobile companies will be on hand to discuss their plans.
For more information, contact Joel Rinebold or Paul Aresta at 860-291-8832 or go to http://www.ccat.us.
ABOUT CCAT
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), a unique economic development organization headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., leads partnerships between industry, academia and government, creating a collaborative framework for tackling today’s economic challenges. CCAT combines expertise in cutting-edge manufacturing and information technology with specialized centers of excellence in education and workforce development and alternative energy solutions to help organizations increase efficiencies, compete and succeed.
About CHFCC
The Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), is comprised of representatives from Connecticut’s fuel cell and hydrogen industry, labor, academia, government, and other stakeholders. The Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition works to enhance economic growth in Connecticut through the development, manufacture, and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and associated fueling systems.
About NEESC
The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster is a federally recognized cluster supported by the United States Small Business Administration. The cluster, administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), assists the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in the eight state Northeast region with education, outreach, and technical support. The goal of the cluster is to drive economic development, innovation, and job creation in the nation’s increasingly important clean energy sector.
Karen Jarmon, CCAT, http://www.ccat.us, +1 860-282-4211, [email protected]
Share this article