Denver, Colorado.

   Anticipation is building for the World Congress for a Hydrogen Economy to be held in Denver, Nov. 1-4, 2001.  Hydrogen Now!, a non-profit, international organization dedicated to bringing hydrogen into the world energy market by educating and motivating the publicabout  hydrogen as an environmentally and economically sound energy carrier, is receiving outreach and marketing assistance for the conference from the International Association for Hydrogen Energy and Millennium Energy, an energy consulting firm based in Golden, Colorado. Together the three organizations will sponsor an international forum for developing widespread awareness of hydrogen and the potential of a hydrogen economy.  The event will provide the opportunity for development of partnerships and action plans geared to making hydrogen commercially viable around the world.  Critical to this effort is solidifying the commitment of stakeholders and communicating to the public the role it must play in bringing about conversion to a hydrogen economy. 

   Jeff Rinker, chairman of the board of the National Hydrogen Association and general manager of British Petroleum's hydrogen operations, sees the World Congress as an important event in the transition to a hydrogen economy.  The 70 members of the National Hydrogen Association are representatives of corporations, universities and national laboratories.  "Most members represent corporations and as an oil man I am proud to have been elected chairman.  I see it as a wonderful opportunity," Rinker says. Joe Bourg of Millennium Energy is pleased to be able to partner with Hydrogen Now! to promote the World Congress.  The mission of his company is to provide technical, economic and marketing support for alternative energy technologies. 

   The World Congress will offer critical information and understanding to representatives of petroleum and natural gas companies, vehicle manufacturers, environmental and trade organizations, utilities, residential and commercial builders and industries.  Others who are encouraged to attend include investors, inventors, farmers, entrepreneurs, government officials, home owners and members of the general public with an interest in hydrogen. 

   A number of exhibitors will have booths and demonstrations open to the public. Hydrogen Now's founder, Dr. Maury Albertson, Ph.D, PE, of Colorado State University, says there are a number of hydrogen energy applications ready for immediate implementation.  "The time is right to inform the public so that as products become available there will be educated consumers to provide a market," Albertson says.  "Transition to a hydrogen economy will take time, but the time to begin is now."