Methanol Fuel Cells Shine on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2003 -- Today's Congressional Fuel Cell Expo brought out hundreds of visitors to the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill to view the latest developments in fuel cell technology. The Methanol Institute, representing the global methanol industry, was just one of the many exhibitors touting the benefits of using methanol as a hydrogen carrier fuel for fuel cell technology applications.

"From a micro-methanol fuel cell powering a handheld tactical radio, to an Army Command Humvee featuring a methanol-powered fuel cell auxiliary power unit, methanol is the fuel of choice for a host of fuel cell markets," stated Methanol Institute President & CEO John Lynn. "As a liquid hydrogen carrier, methanol is a safe, convenient, efficient and economic fuel for a range of fuel cell technologies."

The US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC), the trade association of the fuel cell industry, hosts the Congressional Fuel Cell Expo. The Methanol Institute is one of the founding members of the USFCC, and remains active on a number of leadership and technical committees. The Expo drew members of Congress and their staff, along with hundreds of federal officials, industry leaders and news media representatives.

At the Expo, the Methanol Institute distributed a DVD video presentation titled, "Methanol Fuel Cell Vehicles: The Clear Alternative," featuring footage of fuel cell vehicles and interviews with government, industry and environmental leaders. The 10-minute DVD video is available for purchase by visiting the "Fuel Cells" page on the Methanol Institute's web site at www.methanol.org.

MTI MicroFuel Cells of Albany, New York, demonstrated an early prototype direct methanol fuel cell handheld tactical radio that provides 50 watt-hours of power per load of methanol fuel, nearly meeting the energy content of the most widely used military battery. The U.S. Department of Defense demonstrated a Command and Control Silent Watch Fuel Cell Vehicle featuring an auxiliary power unit built by IdaTech of Bend, Oregon, that uses a methanol- powered fuel cell to operate all mission equipment. Other exhibitors displayed methanol fuel cell technologies for transportation, stationary power and portable power applications.

The Methanol Institute serves as the trade association for the global methanol industry.