Columbia, SC Promoting the Use of Fuel Cells (2007)

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 4/4/07

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: Received via mail

Text:

Resolution No.: R-2007-008
A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A FUEL CELL DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA WITH THE INTENT OF PROMOTING THE USE OF FUEL CELLS AS AN ALTERNATE SOURCE OF ENERGY, REDUCING DEPENDENCY ON FOSSIL FUELS AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

WHEREAS, in 2005, the City of Columbia along with the University of South Carolina (USC) launched the SC Next Energy Initiative which brought together higher education, business, national laboratory and community leaders from South Carolina to develop a twenty year strategic plan to capitalize on the trillion dollar hydrogen and fuel cell economy; and

WHEREAS, the State of South Carolina is considering legislative incentives to support companies that develop and promote the use of fuel cells as an alternative source of clean energy; and

WHEREAS, the creation of a Fuel Cell District would offer a central location to companies interested in partnering with multiple entities in the State of South Carolina to develop multiple uses for fuel cell technologies; and

WHEREAS, the Fuel Cell District will become a model for integrating hydrogen production and distribution locations, multiple end-use hydrogen and fuel cell applications and educational activities in an urban setting; and

WHEREAS, the Fuel Cell District will encourage entrepreneurs and existing businesses to commercialize and deploy fuel cell and other alternative energy technologies, in particular those invented at USC; and

WHEREAS, the Fuel Cell District will showcase portable and stationary fuel cell applications, where appropriate, including buildings, laboratories, and open spaces, in private businesses and commercial buildings and in residential complexes; and

WHEREAS, the Fuel Cell District will showcase transportation fuel cell applications around the City, university and college campuses, and will encourage citizens to use hydrogen and fuel cell powered transportation, both public and private, when available.

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and City Council this 4th day of April, 2007 as follows:

1. The City of Columbia will establish a “Fuel Cell District” in Columbia’s City Center encompassing the Innovista District, Fort Jackson, the Beltline and Technology campuses of Midlands Technical College and the respective campuses of the University of South Carolina, Benedict College, Allen University and Columbia College.

2. The City Manager is hereby directed to develop a program in conjunction with the Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative designed to actively market and attract hydrogen and fuel cell companies to locate in the Fuel Cell District.

3. The City Manager is hereby directed to create incentives for use when recruiting companies actively involved in developing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to the Fuel Cell District.

4. The City Manager is also directed to create incentives for real property owners, both residential and commercial, whose real property lies within the Fuel Cell District and who incorporate the use of fuel cells as alternate sources of clean energy in their homes or businesses located within the Fuel Cell District.