California Fuel Cell Partnership Opens Headquarters Facility.Business and News Editors SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2000 The California Fuel Cell Partnership The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a public-private partnership to promote hydrogen vehicles (including cars and buses) in California. It is notable as one of the first initiatives for that purpose undertaken in the United States. today officially opened the doors to its newly constructed fuel cell vehicle headquarters facility in West Sacramento. More than 400 attended the event. The ceremony featured the Partnership debut of seven automotive manufacturers' fuel cell electric vehicles -- the first time in history that these cars have been brought together. Fuel cell-powered buses were also demonstrated. The dramatic 55,000-square-foot facility, which houses fuel cell cars and a hydrogen fueling station, serves as an operations base for executing the Partnership's goals of demonstrating fuel cell vehicle technology, exploring an alternative fuel infrastructure, and increasing public awareness. The facility features a public gallery area with educational exhibits, fuel cell models, and an interactive kiosk An Interactive kiosk is a computer terminal that provides information access via electronic methods. Interactive kiosks sometimes resemble telephone booths, but can also be used while sitting on a bench or chair. . This unique Partnership comprises 18 member organizations from industry and government working together to advance fuel cell technology. Over the next few years, more than 50 fuel cell-powered cars will drive on California's diverse roadways in real-world conditions -- the largest concentration of fuel cell vehicles
The Partnership -- which formally began in April 1999 -- includes auto manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen); energy providers (BP, Shell, Texaco); fuel cell companies (Ballard Power Systems Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD, NASDAQ: BLDP), located in Burnaby, British Columbia -- a suburb of Vancouver -- is a company that designs, develops, and manufactures zero emission proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells. and International Fuel Cells); and government agencies (the California Air Resources Board California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the "clean air agency" of the state of California in the United States. Established originally in 1967, it is a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, an organization which reports directly to the California , the California Energy Commission The California Energy Commission is California’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created in 1974 and headquartered in Sacramento, the Commission has responsibility for activities that include forecasting future energy needs, promoting energy efficiency through , the South Coast Air Quality Management District The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), formed in 1976, is the air pollution agency responsible mainly for regulating stationary sources of air pollution for most of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside County, and all of Orange county. , the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Transportation). The team also includes Associate Partners who assist with specific areas of expertise to help meet the Partnership's goals: hydrogen gas suppliers (Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Praxair); a methanol fuel This article is about Methanol used as a fuel. For other alcohols used as fuels, see Alcohol fuel. Methyl alcohol, wood spirits, and Methanol Methanol has been considered as a fuel, mainly in combination with gasoline. supplier (Methanex); and bus transit companies (AC Transit AC Transit (in full, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District) is a regional bus agency serving parts of Alameda County and Contra Costa County in the western coastal area of the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. , operating in the San Francisco Bay area “Bay Area” redirects here. For other uses, see Bay Area (disambiguation). The San Francisco Bay Area, colloquially known as the Bay Area or The Bay , and SunLine Transit Agency (Palm Springs area). More information about the Partnership and the facility may be found on the organization's Web site: www.fuelcellpartnership.org. CA Fuel Cell Partnership -- Press Information Grand Opening -- November 1, 2000 QUOTE SHEET: CALIFORNIA FUEL CELL PARTNERSHIP BP "BP is extremely proud to join our partners in an exciting new era of environmentally responsible and sustainable transportation. Together we are working to find the most efficient method of providing energy for the fuel cell vehicles, while meeting the needs of our customers in a safe and environmentally favorable way." -- Peter Histon, Senior Advisor In some countries, a Senior Advisor is an appointed position by the Head of State to advise on the highest levels of national and government policy. Sometimes a junior position to this is called a National Policy Advisor. , Transportation and Fuels BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS "This is the beginning of a revolution. The widespread use of fuel cell technology will have a positive impact on quality of life for generations to come. California is showing the world today that there are real solutions, such as fuel cell technology, to environmental problems that have plagued us for years. Ballard's fuel cell technology is enabling the development of superior products, from cars to portable generators, that will not harm our environment." -- Firoz Rasul, Chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Ballard Power Systems CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD "The facility in Sacramento is a physical manifestation of the cooperation that we're showing with the auto companies and the energy producers to get this technology on the road. It's a tremendously exciting event. This is the only type of partnership we have worldwide, and this is happening in Sacramento -- in California." -- Alan Lloyd, Ph.D., Chairman of the California Air Resources Board. DAIMLERCHRYSLER "DaimlerChrysler's involvement in the California Fuel Cell Partnership shows the company's commitment to continually improve automobile performance on all levels and to take a leadership position in new technologies such as fuel cells. I am convinced that the fuel cell technology will be the drive system for the future." -- Prof. Klaus-Dieter Vohringer, Research & Technology, Board of Management, DaimlerChrysler AG FORD "I believe fuel cells could end the 100-year reign of the internal combustion engine Internal combustion engine A prime mover, the fuel for which is burned within the engine, as contrasted to a steam engine, for example, in which fuel is burned in a separate furnace. . In 25 years, fuel cells could be the predominate automotive power source. It will be a winning situation all around -- customers will get an efficient power source, communities will get zero emission Zero emission refers to an engine, motor, or other energy source, that emits no waste products that pollutes the environment or disrupts the climate. Zero emission engines transportation and automakers will get a major business opportunity." -- Bill Ford, Chairman, Ford Motor Company GM "GM continues to pioneer fundamental technologies that make a difference to society and the environment. Fuel cell technology is as important to our future as were the introduction of catalytic converters, on-board diagnostics On-Board Diagnostics, or OBD, in an automotive context, is a generic term referring to a vehicle's self-diagnostic and reporting capability. OBD systems give the vehicle owner or a repair technician access to state of health information for various vehicle sub-systems. and the electric drive propulsion system Noun 1. propulsion system - a system that provides a propelling or driving force system - instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity; "he bought a new stereo system"; "the system consists of a motor and a . These are just a few examples of where GM moved technology from the lab to the road. Even more, the fuel cell will revolutionize power generation; not just for automobiles, but for homes, businesses, and virtually every power need." -- Harry J. Pearce, GM Vice Chairman HONDA "Honda believes fuel cell vehicles have tremendous potential for the future and the Partnership shares a common goal of seeing that potential become reality. The Partnership will play a key role in educating the public on fuel cells and in helping to identify and develop the infrastructure to support fuel cell vehicles." -- Ben Knight, vice president of Honda Research and Development, Americas HYUNDAI "Hyundai Motor Company The Hyundai Motor Company, a division of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, is South Korea's largest and the world's sixth largest Automaker.[1] Its headquarters are in Seoul, South Korea. is committed to the long-term, leading-edge development of environmentally friendly vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles are as friendly to the environment as electric vehicles, have higher fuel economy than hybrid gas-electric vehicles, plus convenient fueling options at the level of conventional gasoline powered vehicles. Representing Korea, Hyundai is actively participating in the worldwide efforts to develop and commercialize fuel cell vehicles, the importance of which can be compared to the introduction of the internal combustion engine in the early 1900s." -- Chung Goo Lee, president of worldwide research and development for Hyundai Motor Company INTERNATIONAL FUEL CELLS "Having made fuel cells for space travel and commercial applications a reality, International Fuel Cells is proud to be a part of the California Fuel Cell Partnership's efforts to promote energy-efficient, environmentally friendly fuel cells for transportation applications." -- William Miller, president of IFC (Internet Foundation Classes) A class library from Netscape that provides an application framework and graphical user interface (GUI) routines for Java programmers. IFC was later made part of the Java Foundation Classes (JFC). See JFC, AFC and AWT. See also ICF. NISSAN "As part of our on-going research efforts and years of experience with alternative fuel vehicles, Nissan is pleased to become a part of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, and to help advance the cause of fuel cell vehicle awareness and potential commercialization, We look forward to working with our partners in the energy, automotive, fuel cell technology and government sectors, and finding a path to success for this exciting and environmentally beneficial technology." -- Debra Sanchez Fair, vice president, corporate communications, Nissan North America, Inc. SHELL "Shell, along with our energy partners, is committed to providing the fuel for the fuel cell vehicles that will best meet our customers' needs on a commercial basis. The fuel will be safe, efficient, economic and beneficial to the environment." -- Don Huberts, CEO, Shell Hydrogen. |
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