CHBC Presents Public Leadership Awards for Legislator of the Year and 2018 Hydrogen Champion
Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Provide Clean Air and Clean Energy with Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for All Californians, to be presented at CHBC Summit
November 28, 2018 – YORBA LINDA, Calif. – Today, the California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC) is proud to announce it will bestow the first ever CHBC Public Leadership Awards to California Senator Nancy Skinner (Senate District 9) and Tyson Eckerle, Deputy Director of Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The Public Leadership awards will be presented to both recipients at CHBC’s 2018 California Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Summit in Sacramento on December 11 and 12.
Senator Skinner earned the 2018 CHBC Legislator of the Year Award for her instrumental role in the passage of SB 100: California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program: emissions of greenhouse gases, which requires 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. It also recognizes her pioneering legislation that created a market for grid-scale energy storage in California, and legislation that establishes hydrogen as one of the technologies to be considered for energy storage. AB 2514: Energy Storage Systems was passed in 2010 and required the Public Utilities Commission to set targets for the state’s investor-owned utilities to procure energy storage. In September 2018, Governor Brown signed SB 1369: Green Electrolytic Hydrogen into law, which establishes a definition for green electrolytic hydrogen in state law and requires California’s state regulatory agencies to consider hydrogen as an energy storage solution. SB 1369 provides a critical first step for green electrolytic hydrogen to provide long-term, seasonal storage option for renewable electricity in California.
Tyson Eckerle receives the 2018 CHBC Hydrogen Champion Award for his leadership at GO-Biz to develop California’s hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Eckerle joined GO-Biz in 2012, where he has overseen the expansion of California’s hydrogen fueling network to currently 35 retail stations, supporting 5,463 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). His tireless efforts to overcome barriers to the deployment of infrastructure, streamline permitting and approvals, and communicating the need for an all-of-the-above approach for electric vehicles, both battery and fuel cells, are highly appreciated by the CHBC.
“The hydrogen industry is dependent upon public leaders like Senator Skinner and Tyson Eckerle who, in their respective positions, promote solutions to provide clean air and clean energy in the State, and by extension, seek to keep California in a global position of leadership in environmental solutions to energy issues,” said Jeff Serfass, CHBC Executive Director.
The CHBC will present the awards at its 6th Annual California Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Summit at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento. Skinner will receive her award on December 11 at 11:30 AM and provide a keynote presentation to Summit attendees. Eckerle will receive his award on December 12 at 12:30 PM and provide a keynote presentation. For more information on the 2018 Summit, visit: https://californiahydrogen.org/california-hydrogen-and-fuel-cell-summit-2018/
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About the California Hydrogen Business Council
The California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC) is comprised of over 100 companies, agencies and individuals involved in the business of hydrogen. Our mission is to advance the commercialization of hydrogen in the energy sector, including transportation, goods movement, and stationary power systems to reduce emissions and dependence on oil. More information at www.californiahydrogen.org