New report from U.S. Department of Energy highlights top states helping advance fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies, and the economic and environmental benefits they find as a result.

State by state, the nations production and use of fuel cell and hydrogen systems is rapidly increasing, as companies, institutions and government facilities reap the range of benefits of clean, reliable and efficient fuel cell technology. Thats the conclusion of the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) new report, State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2016, the seventh annual report in this series.

Written by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and published by DOEs Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the report highlights how states receive a return on investment in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, with new manufacturing and export opportunities. Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity electrochemically, without combustion, so the economic benefits are matched by environmental ones as well.

"Today, fuel cells are playing an important role in enhancing our nations energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while efficiently utilizing domestic resources such as natural gas, solar and wind," said FCHEA President, Morry B. Markowitz. "Thanks to the commitment of the private sector and the states highlighted in report, we are seeing fuel cell developers, innovative companies, and a growing supply chain delivering new jobs and a positive economic impact to the U.S."

California, Connecticut, and New York remain the top fuel cell states in the report and they continue to support this technology through innovative programs, inclusive planning and roadmaps, funding and incentives, business support and R&D. The five other leading states are Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ohio. In total, thirty states include fuel cells or hydrogen under their Renewable Portfolio Standards, 25 help fund fuel cells through rebates, grants, loans or other assistance and 16 offer tax incentives.

The U.S. is the world leader in several fuel cell markets including large-scale stationary power systems, material handling equipment, and backup power for telecommunications and other uses.

The report highlights that fuel cell power plants are located in 43 states, fuel cell back-up power systems are operating in more than 40 states, 11,000+ fuel cell forklifts are hard at work in 26 states, fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen filling stations are now part of the California highway scene, and passengers are riding fuel cell buses in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Ohio.

"U.S. companies are entering international partnerships, sales, and distribution agreements, boosting domestic manufacturing and exports, expanding the economy and creating jobs for American workers," added Markowitz. "Fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies are also gaining traction in new markets such as energy storage, micro grids and mobility, which will further enhance industry growth and benefits for the country."

The free report can be downloaded at:
http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/11/f34/fcto_state_of_states_2016.pdf.