IdaTech Participates in Administration's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative

    BEND, Ore., Feb. 10 -- IdaTech participated in the Bush
Administration's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative February 6 at the National Building
Museum in Washington, DC.  President George W. Bush spoke about his proposed
$1.2 billion hydrogen fuel cell initiative included in the Administration's
FY 2004 budget submitted to Congress earlier this week.  IdaTech and 21 other
leaders of hydrogen infrastructure, automotive and fuel cell development were
invited by the White House and the U.S. Department of Energy to show the VIP
delegation state-of-the-art technology and products.  Department of Energy
Secretary Spencer Abraham and Environmental Protection Agency Christie
Todd-Whitman supported the President's announcement, and led a VIP delegation
on a tour of exhibits ranging from fuel cell systems to fuel cell-powered
concept automobiles.
    IdaTech demonstrated its pre-commercial, 1.2 kilowatt FCS 1200(TM) fuel
cell system to the delegation, powering the exhibit and ancillary electric
devices.
    "Hydrogen fuel cells represent one of the most encouraging, innovative
technologies of our era," said President Bush.  "If you're interested in our
environment, if you're tired of the same old endless struggles that seem to
produce nothing but noise and high bills, let us promote hydrogen fuel cells
as a way to advance into the 21st century."
    He discussed the comprehensive energy legislation his Administration sent
to Capitol Hill last year.  "It didn't pass the Congress.  It's a plan that
will encourage conservation.  It's a plan needed for national security.  I
want to sign a comprehensive energy bill this year."  Both House and Senate
energy bills contained a first-ever federal fuel cell tax credit supported by
IdaTech and over forty fuel cell companies and component suppliers.  President
Bush said, "I'm going to work with the Congress to move this nation forward on
hydrogen fuel cell technologies.  It's in our national interest that we do
so."
    "This unique venue afforded IdaTech the opportunity to become further
integrated with the domestic energy policy and hydrogen fuel initiatives,"
said Eric Simpkins, Vice President of Business Development.
    "President Bush introduced the hydrogen fuel cell initiative in the annual
State of the Union speech, the first President to discuss fuel cells in a
major speech before the nation," added Claude Duss, IdaTech President and
Chief Executive Officer.  "An emphasis for fuel cells and hydrogen generation
within this Administration is especially helpful as IdaTech's fully
integrated, multi-fuel solutions emerge for overseas and domestic markets."

    IdaTech (http://www.idatech.com) is a developer of multi-fuel fuel processors and
integrated proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems for global
portable and stationary applications.  The company's core capability is its
patented fuel processing technology, which incorporates a two-stage
purification process.  IdaTech's fuel cell solutions are based on a modular
design, supporting interchangeable components, enabling the company to
accelerate product development while incorporating proven components and
subsystems into customized configurations.  With the support of strategic
partners, IdaTech's fuel cell solutions are being deployed on a global scale.
IdaTech is a subsidiary of the Boise, Idaho-based energy and technology
holding company IDACORP .