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ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) and Progress Energy will be showcasing
two new hydrogen-powered vehicles at the Florida
Association of Science Teacher’s (FAST) annual
conference. As part of a national hydrogen demonstration
project, the DEP’s Central District is touring local
area schools and conferences with two pollution-free
hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
“DEP is proud to participate in this demonstration
project, and excited to introduce this technology to
Florida’s science teachers,” said Vivian Garfein,
Director of DEP’s Central District. “Florida’s
investment in pollution-free technology benefits our
environment, quality of life and economy.”
The hydrogen demonstration project is part of an
initiative unveiled in 2004 by the U.S. Department of
Energy. Through the federal government’s Controlled
Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and
Validation Project, Ford supplied Florida DEP and
Progress Energy with five hydrogen-powered Ford Focus
Fuel Cell Vehicles.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for nearly 1,100
Florida educators to see this cutting edge technology,”
said Victor Hatfield, FAST Conference Chairperson.
“Hydrogen is one of the solutions to many of our energy
supply problems, and needs to be explored more as an
alternative to traditional energy sources.”
Burning petroleum-based fuels like gasoline is the
primary cause of air pollution from the more than 20
million vehicles on Florida’s roads. Hydrogen can power
cars by replacing gasoline in an internal combustion
engine or as a source of power for a fuel cell. A fuel
cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce
electricity, which powers the car and emits only steam.
Worldwide, energy companies, automakers and oil
companies are investing more than $2 billion annually on
research and development to advance hydrogen technology
as a new, sustainable source of energy.
“Progress Energy is pleased to offer this opportunity
to provide a framework for young people to see the
potential of hydrogen and other forms of alternative
energy,” said Progress Energy Florida President and CEO
Bill Habermeyer. “This program will help educate the
next generation about the exciting possibilities offered
by these energy sources for our future.”
In 2003, Governor Bush launched “H2 Florida,” a
statewide initiative to grow the hydrogen technology
industry, spur investment and economic opportunity and
safeguard the nation’s natural resources. H2 Florida
partners the state with industry, local governments and
academia to accelerate hydrogen innovation and stimulate
a consumer market for the newest hi-tech approach to
cleaner, sustainable sources of energy.
For more information on Florida’s hydrogen projects,
visit
www.FloridaEnergy.org | 
