Date: Jun 18, 2010 Author: Melanie Turner Source: bizjournal
An executive of a Folsom company that develops portable fuel cells this week urged Congress to support efforts to promote clean technology exports.
Jadoo Power Systems Inc. chief executive officer Jack Crawford Jr. testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection in Washington Wednesday. Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento invited Crawford to provide testimony.
“The clean energy technology industry represents a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors, and the battle for global leadership is raging,” Crawford said, as part of his testimony. “The U.S. is in a fierce competition to develop companies that enable us to generate and utilize energy more efficiently and to do this cheaper and cleaner than our competitors.
“Nothing less than our global leadership is at stake here,” Crawford added. “The country that succeeds in innovating and exporting clean technology products and services will be the global economic leader and job creator in the future.”
Jadoo Power, which produces fuel cell power supplies between 50 watts and 1 kilowatt, is producing fuel cell technology and hybrid alternative power systems for government, military and commercial applications.
Earlier this spring Jadoo delivered its first products to the U.S. Air Force for testing and entered into a $2.2 million contract with the U.S. Department of Energy — $1 million more than the company initially was awarded in federal stimulus funding last year.
Crawford told the Congressional group that with proper support, Jadoo is an example of a company that could be well positioned to build manufacturing facilities that will employ “green collar” workers in the United States.
“We believe that the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration can play an important role for U.S. companies that are selling products to foreign buyers,” he said. “ITA has a wealth of experience in export promotion, helping small and medium sized companies find and navigate foreign markets.”
