Local news today in Washington State...stock prices are going up for AVISTA utilities since it was revealed that Bill Gates has quietly been buying up 5% of the utility company's stock over the past few months. Sorry, no link...from local TV and radio news.

-- (RUOK@yesiam.com), January 21, 2000

Answers

Here's a link to an AP article.

Can you say "fuel cells"? Gates' investment has nothing to do with telecommunications or e-commerce. I think he foresees a fuel cell in every home - with a Microsux product integrating the fuel cell as part of a total home automation package. The man ain't dumb, and I'm sure he does not invest his billion$ capriciously.

-- Nom (nom@de.plume), January 21, 2000.

Oh, yeah, and Avista is playing this for all it's worth - stock was up over 14 points today.

Link to article on Avista stock runup. By my calcs, Gates made close to $50 mil this week on Avista. Da rich git richer...

-- Nom (nom@de.plum), January 21, 2000.

Avista is one of Plug Power's competitors. I had their web site bookmarked since last spring. I was trying to search out a source for a fuel cell. My elec coop was interested in giving one a test run...and I wanted to be first in line.....no luck.

-- jeanne (jeanne@hurry.now), January 21, 2000.

Nom and Jeanne,

Mucho thanks! When Bill Gates invests in something, I do try to pay attention. Off to research fuel cells...

-- (RUOK@yesiam.com), January 21, 2000.

Maybe he wants a gauranteed power source for that mansion of his.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), January 21, 2000.

http://www.ch2bc.org/indexh.htm http://www.copower.com/ http://www.dcht.com/ir/press.htm http://www.internationalfuelcells.com./ http://www.enotsder.com/H2FC/defaultNS4.html http://www.mhtx.com

Some places to look for info on fuel cells.

-- (my@2cents.worth), January 22, 2000.

Perc bubble.vision today their 6 fuel cell companies up i think 10- 30% ball park...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), January 22, 2000.