Ten states enacted fuel cell and hydrogen-related polices in 2016, according to the new report by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), 2016 State Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Wrap Up.

(Washington, D.C.) - February 15, 2017 - Ten states enacted fuel cell and hydrogen-related polices in 2016, according to the new report by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), 2016 State Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Wrap Up. These actions support Americas growing fuel cell industry and help drive momentum forward, encouraging growing numbers of zero-emission fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and increased use of reliable and efficient fuel cell power generation.

Today more than 1,000 FCVs are driving on California roadways, with three automakers - Honda, Hyundai and Toyota - now selling and leasing FCVs to California customers. These FCVs are supported by an increasing number of retail hydrogen stations - 25 California stations operating at the end of 2016 and more in development, plus four hydrogen stations due to come online in 2017 in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, kicking off the start of 300-mile, northeast state hydrogen fueling network.

Given these developments, 2016 was an active year that saw states preparing for growing numbers of FCVs. Six states, California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania, either increased funding for FCV rebate programs or launched new programs that include FCVs and hydrogen fueling. Washington also created a tax exemption for hydrogen vehicles.

In addition, to encourage greater use of fuel cell technology, five east coast states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island) implemented new policies in 2016, including as tax incentives, feed-in tariffs, and clean energy goals that expressly include fuel cells. The use of onsite fuel cell power generation is growing, powering facilities such office and residential towers, manufacturing plants, municipal buildings, corporate offices, and other buildings, as well as to supply fuel cell-generated power to the electric grid. These fuel cell deployments are contributing to state energy and environmental goals, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved power reliability, enhanced energy efficiency, and lowered consumer demand on the electric grid.

For further details on these policies, please download FCHEAs 2016 State Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Wrap Up report at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53ab1feee4b0bef0179a1563/t/5890f03459cc68806c92dfd6/1485893685051/2016+State+Policy+Report+-+FINAL.pdf.

For a more in-depth look at what is happening in the states, please see the Department of Energy's recent report, State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2016 at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/11/f34/fcto_state_of_states_2016.pdf.

To learn more about fuel cells and hydrogen and the range of applications they serve, please download FCHEAs fuel cell and hydrogen Fact Sheets - www.fchea.org/factsheets.