Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) was in Torrington today to tour FuelCell Energy and unveil his plan to promote the use of fuel cells in both homes and businesses. Dodd’s fuel cell plan not only has the potential to create new jobs in Connecticut and across America, but will promote the use of a 21st-century, clean energy resource.
“Connecticut is already a world leader in the production of fuel cells, which reduce consumption of fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and save on energy costs by generating power on-site, within the fuel cell unit,” said Dodd, who was joined on the tour by FuelCell Energy CEO Daniel Brdar. “We need to grow the market for these energy-efficient products. If we can create that demand, we can create new jobs today, and a new industry that can power not just homes and businesses, but a new era of Connecticut prosperity.”
Dodd is proposing a three-step plan to kickstart the state’s fuel cell industry and put Connecticut back to work. First, it aims to jump start Connecticut’s fuel cell industry by creating immediate demand for fuel cells – and immediate jobs – by encouraging the federal government to lead the transition to clean energy and fully invest in opportunities where fuel cells can be utilized.
Second, it increases the investment tax credit for fuel cells, encouraging businesses to heat and power their facilities with highly-efficient, Connecticut-built systems. Finally, Dodd’s plan sets an ambitious goal for the residential use of fuel cells – and provides manufacturers and consumers with incentives to meet it.
