The shares of FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCEL: sentiment, chart, options) gapped higher at the opening bell today, thanks in part to the U.S. government.

No, the energy issue didn't have its hand out for bailout funds; instead, the company inked a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to further develop a clean coal-based power plant. More specifically, the $30.2-million contract paves the way for FuelCell to begin on Phase II of the energy department's program, which extends from January 2009 through September 2010.

The shares of FCEL have added roughly 75 cents, or more than 18%, so far today, and are currently hovering near the 4.70 level. What's more, the rally has fueled the security through resistance at its 20-week moving average; a weekly close atop this trendline would be a feat accomplished only 3 times since late May 2008.

However, one group that's unlikely to cheer today's technical muscle are near-term options traders. FCEL's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) currently rests at 1.11, only 2 percentage points from an annual pessimistic peak. Should the stock manage to close this week atop intermediate-term resistance, the skeptics could get spooked. A reversal in sentiment in the options pits could place additional buying pressure on the shares.