Larson Announces $350,000 in New Federal Funding to Grow Connecticut’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry and Invest in American-Made, Affordable Clean Energy

Windsor, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced $350,000 in new federal funding for CONNSTEP at Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc. in Windsor, to strengthen the competitiveness of Connecticut’s small and medium-sized manufacturers and grow the state’s hydrogen and fuel cell energy industry.

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“As a founding member and co-chair of the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, I have been proud to work for years to support the continued advancement of clean hydrogen energy right here in Connecticut,” said Larson. “Even in the face of federal funding cuts, I'm proud to work with our local partners like CONNSTEP to support Connecticut manufacturers, like Infinity Fuel Cell, and to ensure our state remains a national and global clean energy leader. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to extend tax credits that support this growing industry and bring home critical funding to develop and deploy American-made clean energy in our communities.”

Larson secured this new funding as part of a government funding package that passed the House and Senate in January with bipartisan support, including the support of Senator Richard Blumenthal, and was signed into law.

“This $350,000 federal investment for CONNSTEP will strengthen the Connecticut Hydrogen Fuel Cell Consortium’s work to advance innovation of clean energy and expand opportunities for manufacturers critical to our national defense and economic security. I’m proud to support initiatives such as this that empower Connecticut businesses to develop cutting-edge solutions to the climate and energy crisis while creating good jobs,” said Senator Blumenthal.

Last year, Larson introduced the bipartisan Technology for Energy Security Act to extend the fuel cell tax credit and support the continued growth of this clean and affordable technology. He also introduced the American Affordability Act to bring down costs for households, including a plan to spur the development of American-made clean energy by providing a tax credit to companies that reduce carbon emissions by producing "green" and "blue" hydrogen and fuel cells.

The funding for CONNSTEP will invest directly in manufacturers across the State of Connecticut who are already working to produce fuel cells and make hydrogen energy more affordable.

“Congressman Larson has long been a champion for Connecticut’s manufacturing community, and we are deeply grateful for his leadership in securing this important investment,” said Beatriz N. Gutierrez, President and CEO of CONNSTEP. “For more than 25 years, CONNSTEP has worked alongside small and medium-sized manufacturers to help them grow and remain competitive. This funding will help strengthen the manufacturers that power our state’s advanced manufacturing and energy supply chains.”

“Congressman Larson and the rest of the delegation have been extremely supportive of Infinity’s development of new fuel cell power systems for space and underwater missions. These are markets that are historically important to Connecticut, and our work continues to serve them and create jobs,” said Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc. President & CEO William Smith.