For Immediate Release
January 18, 2005

NEW ONTARIO FUEL CELL INNOVATION PROGRAM GOOD NEWS FOR ONTARIO COMMUNITIES

Kingston - John Gerretsen , MPP for Kingston and the Islands , says a new Ontario Fuel Cell Innovation Program is being established to help make Ontario a leader in the global innovation economy and create new companies and more good jobs in communities across the province.

"Ontario's fuel cell program is great news for this relatively new sector that's emerging in more and more of our communities," said Gerretsen. "Fuel cells are being developed as a more efficient and greener energy source to power our manufacturing industries, our homes and offices. Ontario's investments will help fuel cell companies develop the technology more quickly and create more jobs, and more prosperity."

Emerging fuel cell technology is also being developed to improve manufacturing processes that will benefit Ontario's large-scale industries. The Ontario Fuel Cell Innovation Program will provide $3 million in annual funding through 2007-08 with a focus on commercialization and moving products to the manufacturing stage. The program will:

• Link small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario with researchers, business expertise and venture capital
• Allow new and existing fuel cell technologies to be applied to existing manufacturing and commercial applications, so that new technologies such as a standalone electricity power source for homes, for example, can be developed.

With the only emissions being water and heat, the environmental and health benefits can be significant in terms of improved air and water quality. Energy generated from fuel cells relieves distribution pressure on the power grid and the heat emitted can potentially be captured and used to heat residences and offices during Ontario winters.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade will provide program details and criteria to guide submissions to the Ontario Fuel Cell Innovation Program on or before February 14, 2005. Program details and criteria will be made available at www.fuelcells.2ontario.com

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