05.01.03

Senate Commerce Committee Passes Cantwell Fuel Cell Amendment Encouraging Airports to Use New Power Technologies

Amendment based on McChord AFB Pilot Program Using Avista Fuel Cells

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee passed an amendment authored by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to have airport standby power systems replaced with more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly new technologies like fuel cells. Federal Aviation Administrations sites rely on standby power systems to keep electrical systems working during power outages.

"Reliable power at our airports and military air bases is critical to the economy and national security. Even the smallest delay can cost airlines millions of dollars and threaten the readiness of the nation’s military," Cantwell said. "With new technologies like fuel cells, we can ensure that our nation’s air traffic control system remains the most reliable and secure in the world."

McChord Air Force Base is testing a new generation of Avista Laboratories cost-effective fuel cells in its radio transmission station. The backup power system proved to be more reliable, cleaner, lighter, and took up less space then the expensive batteries typically used.

Cantwell’s amendment creates a program in which the Department of Transportation would work with the Departments of Defense and Energy to develop cleaner, more cost-efficient technologies to replace the current standby power systems – many of which are at least thirty years old.

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