Hydrogen and Public Policy

Connecticut

Connecticut views support for hydrogen fuel infrastructure development as support for state economic development. Several prominent fuel cell companies are
located in Connecticut; United Technology Companies, Inc. and Fuel Cell Energy, Inc. for example, are poised tobecome leaders in stationary and transport related fuel cell markets regionally, nationally, and internationally. To nurture this burgeoning market, the state legislature established the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) in 1998. This group is charged with encouraging“growth, development and commercialization of renewable energy technologies and sources; [stimulating] Connecticut consumers’ demand for renewable energy;
and [promoting] deployment of renewable energy sources that serve Connecticut’s energy customers.” The CCEF has allocated grant money for a number
a years to organizations and companies to conduct fuel cell related demonstration projects that are judged to be helpful in leading to the commercialization of fuel cell
technology. In 2003, CCEF allocated $4 million as part of this effort.

In March 2004, representatives from UTC and Fuel Cell Energy asked Connecticut’s Assembly Committee to exempt fuel cells and other alternative
energy related technologies from the state sales tax. This exemption would save about $60,000 for a fuel cell costing $1 million. The hope is that this will provide further incentive to purchase these units. As of this report’s publication, the Committee is considering the proposal.