U.S. fuel cell manufacturers, suppliers, and customers have joined to form the U.S. Fuel Cell Council, a new business association dedicated to supporting the commercialization of fuel-cell technology through education, technical exchange, and market evaluation. Fuel cells are highly efficient, environmentally clean engines that rely on chemistry, not combustion, to generate electricity and heat. "The U.S. Fuel Cell Council will be a central clearinghouse of information and technical expertise, help guide code and standard setting, inform the regulatory process, and assist policy makers by providing authoritative information about the technology and our industry," says Rhett Ross, council president and vice president of Energy Partners of Florida. "The Council also will serve its members through market analysis, technical and policy studies, and networking." Some of the members of the Council include: 3M, American Methanol Institute, Ballard Generation Systems, Daimler Benz, Ford Motor Co., W.L. Gore, and Siemens/Westinghouse. The Council has offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento.
