OHIO FUEL CELL INDUSTRY BENEFITS FROM NEW LAW
President Bush Signs Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2004 into Law
COLUMBUS (December 10, 2003) - Governor Bob Taft today expressed his appreciation to President Bush for signing the Energy and Water Appropriations act of 2004 into law. This law will assist the Edison Materials Technology Center (EMTEC), an Edison Center located in Dayton, by appropriating $3 million to the organization for programs that will focus on the development of advanced materials that support fuel cells.
"This is yet another sign of Ohio's growing strength in fuel cell technologies, and this legislation will compliment the Third Frontier Project's Fuel Cell initiative I announced last year," Taft said. "I commend EMTEC's Board and executive leadership for their insight to work with our great Ohio Congressional delegation to make this progress, and for their continued efforts to position Ohio as a leader in fuel cell research and development."
The Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative, announced in May 2002, is a $103 million program that aims to position Ohio as a national leader in the growing fuel cell industry and help spur economic growth and job creation in Ohio. To date, more than $10 million in Fuel Cell initiative funds and $20 million in Wright Capital funds has been awarded to fuel cell projects across the state.
The Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative is an integral part of Governor Taft's Third Frontier Program, a $1.1 billion job creation program to expand Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promote start-up companies to create jobs and bring products to market.
EMTEC is one of seven Edison Technology Centers throughout Ohio, which are funded by the State through the Ohio Department of Development. EMTEC is a collaborative, member-based organization that provides resources, which strengthen Ohio's industrial competitiveness in automotive, tooling and machining, metal casting, polymer, and fuel cell markets.
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For more information, contact Orest Holubec, press secretary (614) 644-0957; or Rachel Caldwell, ODOD (614) 466-4133.