Zoot Enterprises of Bozeman calls fuel cells flawed- The first Montana company attempting commercial use of hydrogen fuel cells

A Bozeman firm that says it’s the first Montana company attempting commercial use of hydrogen fuel cells for power is suing the cells’ purveyors, saying the cells don’t work properly.

Zoot Enterprises, which employs 160 people and processes credit information for banks and other financial institutions, sued Monday in U.S. District Court in Butte.

The lawsuit against PPL Energy Services Holding and FuelCell Energy Inc. says the cells have failed to work as promised and asks to cancel an agreement to pay PPL $2.4 million.

Chris Nelson, chief executive officer of Zoot Enterprises, said the fuel cells were supposed to be the company’s sole source of electricity, generating power independent of the regular electric "grid" that serves other businesses and homes.

"Our whole purpose in obtaining the fuel cells was achieving grid independence, but every time the grid went down, they went down," he said Tuesday.

The suit also seeks damages from PPL and FuelCell Energy, to be determined by a jury.

By MIKE DENNISON
Gazette State Bureau

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