CNG Donates Fuel Cell to UConn

Hartford, CT, January 8, 2002 - Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation (CNG) has donated a 200 kilowatt fuel cell to the University of Connecticut's School of Engineering for use in research and education.

"Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation had a number of options when determining what to do with the fuel cell servicing the Company's former facilities in Hartford," said James P. Laurito, CNG's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our decision to donate the fuel cell to UConn's School of Engineering as a research tool is recognition of the University's commitment to using natural gas as an energy source and the advancement of producing energy in an environmentally friendly manner."

The fuel cell, manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells of South Windsor, will provide electricity to the United Technologies Engineering Building on the Storrs campus and serve as a learning tool for students engaged in research and development of fuel cells.

UConn President Philip E. Austin said the donation provides a tangible example of the tremendous power and future promise of fuel cells to provide clean energy to the state.

"Our School of Engineering is making major contributions to technological advancement," he said. "This gift will give Connecticut's future engineers an invaluable hands-on opportunity to investigate and improve upon a vital element of 21st century technology. "We are extremely grateful to Connecticut Natural Gas for this opportunity, and look upon the donation as an outstanding example of the kind of University-corporate partnership that benefits our students and all of the people of the state."

The donated fuel cell previously had provided power to CNG's former corporate headquarters building at 100 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford. The facility was demolished last month to make way for the Adriaen's Landing project. CNG relocated its corporate offices this past summer to 10 Statehouse Square, Hartford.

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that combine hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat and water. Fuel cells are virtually pollution free because they operate without combustion. Since the fuel is converted directly to electricity, a fuel cell can operate at much higher efficiencies than internal combustion engines, extracting more electricity from the same amount of fuel. The fuel cell itself has no moving parts - making it a quiet and reliable source of power. (Source: International Fuel Cells.)

Contact:
Robert Brennan
Director, Public Affairs
Connecticut Natural Gas/Southern Conn. Gas
(203) 795-7739
rbrennan@soconngas.com