FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2004
CONTACT: Linda Long, (850) 245-2112

Florida Hosts Hydrogen Energy Workshop for Southern States

--Federal, state and local officials gather to explore America’s hydrogen energy future--

ORLANDO-- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) today hosted the Southeast Regional Hydrogen Workshop to unite more than 150 federal, state and local officials and further America’s hydrogen economy. Addressing the basics of hydrogen energy, President Bush’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and current hydrogen projects in the Southeast, the workshop gave participants a hands-on experience with cutting-edge energy technology.

“Florida is at the forefront of the hydrogen energy revolution,” said DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy Allan Bedwell. “This commitment to developing pollution-free energy technology benefits Florida’s natural resources, quality of life and economy.”

Florida is recruiting hydrogen technology companies by providing risk capital for select projects and offering a non-regulatory environment for hydrogen demonstration projects. Designated a “Qualified Target Industry” by Enterprise Florida, the State is providing tax incentives for companies that create high wage jobs in the hydrogen industry.

This year, DEP gathered executives from the world’s leading companies and Florida state government officials to create the Florida Hydrogen Business Partnership, a collaborative effort to develop a private-public strategy for the rapid commercialization of hydrogen energy technologies in Florida.

“More than $1.5 billion is invested in hydrogen technology each year,” said Deputy Secretary Bedwell. “Florida’s leadership in developing hydrogen technology will protect the environment and bring new investment, companies and jobs to the state.”

In May, Ford Motor Company and BP America selected the Sunshine State as one of three sites nationwide to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell cars and hydrogen fueling stations. Through the federal government’s Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project, Ford is supplying Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection and Progress Energy each with five hydrogen-powered Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles.

Last Spring, North Port High School became the first school in the nation to teach students about emerging hydrogen technology using an on-site hydrogen fuel cell together with a hydrogen science curriculum. The U.S. Department of Energy designated North Port as one of only 10 Hydrogen Education sites nationwide, supplying the school with a hydrogen curriculum complete with laboratory experiments. To further hands-on learning, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection partnered with Florida Power and Light and Sarasota County to install a hydrogen fuel cell at the school.