FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2001
STRONG SUPPORT FOR FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY VOICED ON HILL
Fuel Cell SUV Demonstrated on Capitol Hill Streets
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd (CT), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and other supporters of fuel cells in the House voiced strong support for the technology at a Capitol Hill press conference today. A fuel cell powered SUV was also driven by Members of Congress on the streets surrounding the Capitol building to actively demonstrate the technology’s use.
The fuel cell system that powers the SUV is produced by International Fuel Cells (IFC), a unit of United Technologies Corporation (UTC), based in Connecticut. The vehicle, a Hyundai Santa Fe, when equipped with the fuel cell system, gets the equivalent of about 60 miles per gallon and produces zero harmful emissions. IFC estimates that fuel cell powered buses will be on the market as early as 2006 and fuel cell powered cars by the end of the decade.
Larson stated: “In the same way that President Kennedy vowed to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s, we must now lead the United States to achieve what I call our energy independence, and the best way to accomplish this goal is through fuel cell technology. This means independence from foreign energy sources, from the current burdensome and inefficient energy infrastructure, and from environmentally destructive energy sources. Energy is a long-term problem that requires a long-term solution; one that allows us to meet our own energy needs with reliable, long-lasting, efficient and clean energy that will also free us from our growing dependence on foreign oil. We can meet this challenge by boldly establishing a comprehensive energy policy that focuses on a number of alternative energy sources.”
“Problems with the high-cost and environmental consequences of our energy use has plagued the nation for nearly 30 years. In order to move fuel cells ahead as a major part of an alternative policy strategy, further development, demonstration and investment is needed through partnerships between the public and private sectors, and Congress must lead the way,” said Larson.
Senator Dodd stated: "We cannot solve our energy needs without including conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative resources in the process, and we cannot compromise environmental and safety standards in order to increase the energy supply in this country. Fuel cell technology provides some of the cleanest, most efficient energy using both conventional and renewable fuels, and I am pleased that Connecticut is at the forefront of this important innovation."
DeLauro stated: “As a Co-Chair of the Democratic Energy Task Force, I have been working with my colleagues to develop a sustainable energy policy that helps our economy grow, while protecting the environment, and keeping our nation secure. Our goal is a balanced approach to the energy needs of the American public -- one that supports the technology displayed today, and looks to the future through investments in research and development.”
Dr. John Cassidy, UTC senior vice president for science and technology stated: “The legislation before Congress is key to helping advance this technology by providing research and development funding, demonstration programs to show the marketplace its benefits and generating manufacturing volumes through tax credit incentives that will bring down the cost for everyone.”
“I urge Congress to implement the vision shared by Congressman Larson, Senators Dodd and Lieberman, Congresswoman Johnson, the entire Connecticut delegation and other fuel cell supporters.”
Larson has introduced a fuel cell investment bill called the Energy Independence Act in the House, and Dodd has sponsored the same measure in the Senate. The bill invests $1 billion in fuel cell technology and also directs the Department of Energy to develop a strategic plan to ensure the United States is energy self-sufficient by 2011 and provides funding for federally run pilot and demonstration programs. Additionally, the bill also makes a significant grant program available directly to state and local governments interested in integrating fuel cell technology into existing programs. Recently, the House Science Committee approved more than $84 million for a fuel cell demonstration program as part of a larger energy bill - which was originally a provision in the Larson/Dodd energy bill.
The United States imported an average of nearly 11 million barrels of oil per day in 1999 from foreign countries to meet our domestic energy needs, totaling nearly 4 billion barrels during all of that year. Even at the modest average price of $15 per barrel, that adds up to more than $60 billion spent on foreign oil. With the average price of a barrel of crude oil at $30 last year and with average daily imports remaining roughly the same, America’s expenditures to purchase foreign oil increased to more than $120 billion last year. One billion dollars represents approximately 1/60 of the nation’s total expenditures on foreign oil in 1999 and 1/120 of expenditures in 2000.
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