Breakthrough Technologies Institute - Fuel Cells 2000

Austin, Texas 78701-2483
Phone: (512) 463-8588
E-mail: www.dot.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/mailform.pl
Web: www.dot.state.tx.us
Industry Cluster Initiative
www.twc.state.tx.us/news/ticluster.html
In 2003, the Texas legislature passed S.B. 275 requiring the development of strategies
to strengthen the competitiveness of key industry clusters. A focus on clusters will allow
Texas to maximize limited resources, monitor specific regional workforce and economic
conditions, and develop plans of action to bring new jobs to Texas. To launch this
initiative, the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism division and
the Texas Workforce Commission are forming state and regional partnerships to foster
growth and development in the six target clusters. The Industry Clusters are: Advanced
Technologies and Manufacturing, Aerospace and Defense, Biotechnology and Life
Sciences, Information and Computer Technology, Petroleum Refining and Chemical
Products, and Energy.
In August 2005 the State of Texas Energy Cluster Assessment was released. The
report identifies three sectors for which specific recommendations were made: Oil and
Gas, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Sources, and Electric/Coal/Nuclear. Of
specific importance to the fuel cell and hydrogen industries was the Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Sources recommendations to “increase state incentives for
emerging sources in this area” and “to increase funding for research, as well as for
commercialization”. As hydrogen as an alternative fuel continues to develop, Texas’
lead in the hydrogen production industry may be turned into a leadership role in
hydrogen fuel by these measures (if implemented).
Contact:
Office of the Governor
Economic Development and Tourism
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
E-mail: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
Web: www.governor.state.tx.us
Report: Texas Energy Plan 2005: Energy Security for a Bright Tomorrow
www.rrc.state.tx.us/tepc/finalenergyplan.pdf
The Texas Energy Planning Council, created by the Governor to provide advice on an
energy plan for the state, issued their report, “Texas Energy Plan 2005: Energy Security
for a Bright Tomorrow” in late 2004. The report offers 10 recommendations, falling into
four themes. Two of the themes focus on renewable and new energy technologies:
• Texas should look to emerging technologies for the future by encouraging new
gasification technology, and increasing targets for renewable power sources.
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