National Hydrogen Association and NextEnergy to hold Hydrogen Safety Codes And Standards Workshop in Michigan

'Featuring Hydrogen Vehicles From Ford and General Motors'

DETROIT, Sept. 10 -- NextEnergy, Michigan's alternative energy initiative will host The National Hydrogen Association's (NHA) fall Hydrogen Safety Codes and Standards Workshop at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport Hotel in Romulus, Michigan, September 22-23, 2003. In anticipation of new hydrogen demonstration projects in Michigan, and requests by local safety officials for more information on hydrogen safety, NextEnergy and the NHA have structured this workshop to focus on those needs and codes and standards in Michigan.

This fall, the NHA Hydrogen Safety Codes and Standards workshop is expected to draw 150 participants from throughout Michigan and around the country, including code officials, hydrogen experts, local authorities and others involved in the siting and operation of hydrogen energy technology demonstrations. Presenting hydrogen energy experts include: Neil Rossmeissl, U.S Department of Energy-Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Carl Rivkin, National Fire Protection Association and Robert Mauro, Chair of the US Technical Advisory Group for ISO TC 197 on hydrogen technologies.

During the two day event, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about hydrogen and codes and standards, and they will be able to provide input into the important efforts to advance hydrogen technologies. Attendees at this workshop will be among the first audiences for the National Renewable Energy Lab's (NREL) presentation of new guidebook to assist Fire Marshals and other code officials in permitting hydrogen energy projects. As a special benefit to workshop participants on Tuesday afternoon, participants will have the unique opportunity for a ride and drive in the Ford Focus fuel cell vehicle and viewing GM's Autonomy concept fuel cell vehicle.

Registration for the workshop is free. The registration deadline is September 19. Register on-line at www.HydrogenSafety.info. Information to secure your hotel reservation can be found on the website as well.

The National Hydrogen Association is a membership organization founded by a group of ten industry, university, research, and small business members in 1989. Today, the NHA is the Nation's leading trade association for hydrogen with more than 85 members from the automobile industry, aerospace, federal, state and local government; energy providers, fuel cell developers and many other industry stakeholders. The NHA serves as a catalyst for information exchange and cooperative projects and provides the setting for mutual support among industry, government, and research/academic organizations.

NextEnergy is a non-profit corporation founded in October 2002. The NextEnergy initiative is a comprehensive set of actions to advance the understanding, research, development, commercialization, and manufacturing of alternative energy technologies for the state and the nation. NextEnergy is a Sustaining member of the National Hydrogen Association and COO Steven D. Arwood is a member of the NHA Board of Directors.