A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy highlights how U.S. states are helping move fuel cell industrty forward.

The combination of technological innovation, a growing domestic supply chain and supportive state policies, is helping the United States (U.S.) stay ahead in the world fuel cell race, according to State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2015, a new report from the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).

The U.S. is home to the worlds largest fuel cell manufacturers, as well as hydrogen generation and component companies. The collective fuel cell and hydrogen industry in the U.S. has enhanced economic growth and job development, growing global exports and generating millions of dollars in revenue and investment.

"States are benefiting from fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, utilizing local energy sources as well as renewables," said FCHEA President, Morry B. Markowitz. "The range of market sectors fuel cells serve are helping provide secure, reliable power, reduce emissions and energy costs, while increasing jobs, exports, and manufacturing in the United States."

The 2015 State of the States report finds that for the sixth year in a row, California, Connecticut, and New York remain the top fuel cell states. These states offer innovative programs and funding to support fuel cell deployment for power generation and transportation applications, as well as provide business development and other incentives to keep industry momentum moving forward.

The new report also showcases six other states that have begun to include fuel cells as part of an overall sustainable energy and economic strategy to boost resiliency and energy efficiency, jobs, manufacturing and exports, while meeting environmental and emission goals. These include Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

"Everyone benefits when the public and private sectors connect to move an industry forward while utilizing domestic resources and innovations," says Markowitz. "We believe that as more states learn of the economic and environmental benefits fuel cells and hydrogen technologies provide, they will also move to integrate them as critical pieces in the energy portfolio."

The free report can be downloaded at http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/12/f27/fcto_state_of_states_2015.pdf.