Canada’s fuel cell industry got a charge this week when theboard of directors of Fuel Cells Canada inaugurated a privatesector, not-for-profit organization designed to offer services andsupport to developers.

FCC, to be headquartered in Vancouver, has proposed a five-yearbudget of C$26 million, largely funded by the Canadian government,to complement an additional five-year, C$30 million request by theNational Research council. Most of the budget will supportdemonstration projects.

Vancouver-based Methanex said the new organization would pushfuel cell research into the forefront, and help companies developalternative fuels. Methanex produces and markets methanol, aleading fuel candidate for many fuel cell applications.

“We have been a strong supporter of the formation of Fuel CellsCanada through our early involvement with other companies,universities and governments,” said Methanex CEO Pierre Choquette.Many of the “key players” in the fuel cell industry are in Canada,said Choquette, and the new organization will “bring all theseplayers and government together to advance the commercialization”of the technology.

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