South Carolina Continues to Lead in New State of the States: Fuel Cells in America report

South Carolina is named a "Top 5 State" in the following categories: Fuel Cell Forklifts (Deployed or Ordered), Hydrogen Fueling Stations, and Successful Fuel Cell Policies.

Columbia, SC (October 3, 2012) - South Carolina is named a "Top 5 State" for the third consecutive year as outlined in the recent release of Fuel Cell 2000's, State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2012, September report.


New for this year, the State of the States: Fuel Cells in America report is broken down into categories. South Carolina is named a "Top 5 State" in the following categories: Fuel Cell Forklifts (Deployed or Ordered), Hydrogen Fueling Stations, and Successful Fuel Cell Policies.

"I am proud to represent a state that is leading the nation in the innovation of hydrogen fuel cells," boasted Congressman James E. Clyburn (D- SC). "This alternative energy source is going to be critical to our country's future energy policies and the creation of homegrown, American-owned jobs. Fuel cells are already providing less bulky, more reliable energy for military communications devices; are contributing to the efficiency of numerous manufacturing facilities; and one day could heat and power our homes. I was pleased to bring Secretary Chu to see the research being done by the South Carolina Fuel Cell Alliance, and to have played a role in helping the Department of Energy include fuel cell as part of their future research initiatives."

South Carolina is a national leader in the hydrogen and fuel cell industries and continues to grow and expand its efforts through education and outreach, infrastructure development, hydrogen research and development, fuel cell research and development, technology transfer and policy development. South Carolina is the only state to uniformly permit hydrogen and fuel cells at the state level while using internationally recognized codes and standards [H. 3835] and is home to two hydrogen fueling stations [located in Columbia and Graniteville]. Companies, such as BMW, GENCO Kimberly-Clark, and Bridgestone, have all implemented fuel cell forklifts in their SC-based warehouses, which enables reductions in productivity costs and increases available space and tax benefits (see also "Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Lift Trucks, A Practical Application").

"South Carolina's fuel cell economy thrives from bringing innovations to the marketplace through effective partnerships between universities, private organizations and the public sector," said Bill Mahoney, SCRA CEO and Executive Committee member for the Columbia, S.C.-based Fuel Cell Collaborative. "SCRA's partnership with BMW to develop renewable sources of hydrogen to power forklifts at their Upstate facility and our continued involvement with the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, EngenuitySC and Midlands Technical College in the Fuel Cell Collaborative are just two examples of our work in the fuel cell industry. We are delighted to be recognized at the national level for our thought leadership, and we look forward to continue making the state a leader in the alternative energy arena."

"We are pleased to again be honored with this top recognition as a leader in the industry," said Dr. Shannon Baxter-Clemmons, Executive Director of the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance. "Adoptability of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies is becoming cost effective in several markets. Domestic energy production, such as natural gas, is helping bridge the gap for fuel cell's commercial viability and creation of national energy security."

About the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance (SCHFCA)
The South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance is a non-profit public-private partnership of academic, government and business coordinating resources in South Carolina to advance the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cells. For more information about the SCHFCA, please visit http://schydrogen.org/ or call 803-545-0189.

About the USC-City of Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative
The USC-City of Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative was formed by the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, SCRA, EngenuitySC, and Midlands Technical College to position Columbia, S.C. as a leader in hydrogen fuel cell innovation and technology. Its mission is to attract private sector partners, top fuel cell scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators to the Columbia region to help grow an innovation pipeline from discovery to development to deployment of fuel cell technology. For more information, visit www.fuelcellcollaborative.com.

About Fuel Cells 2000
Fuel Cells 2000's mission is to promote the commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen by supplying accurate, unbiased industry information and developing and disseminating summary materials accessible to a general audience. Fuel Cells 2000 is independent and non-aligned, and supports fuel cells of all types for all applications. For more information, please visit http://www.fuelcells.org/.

Featured Product

Southco Inc.  - POWER UP YOUR CHARGING DESIGN

Southco Inc. - POWER UP YOUR CHARGING DESIGN

With engineered access solutions for electric vehicle charging equipment. Southco's engineered access hardware, including locks, latches and hinges can help Electric Vehicle (EV) charging manufactures to achieve high standards of equipment performance, usability and security, providing a seamless charging experience for drivers.