Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative Act

To amend title 40, United States Code, to establish an Appalachian regional energy hub initiative, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative Act 2. Appalachian regional energy hub (a) Appalachian regional energy hub initiative (1) In general Subchapter I of chapter 145 of subtitle IV of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 14511. Appalachian regional energy hub initiative (a) In general The Appalachian Regional Commission may provide technical assistance to, make grants to, enter into contracts with, or otherwise provide amounts to individuals or entities in the Appalachian region for projects and activities— (1) to conduct research and analysis regarding the economic impact of an ethane storage hub in the Appalachian region that supports a more-effective energy market performance due to the scale of the project, such as a project with the capacity to store and distribute more than 100,000 barrels per day of hydrocarbon feedstock with a minimum gross heating value of 1,700 Btu per standard cubic foot; (2) with the potential to significantly contribute to the economic resilience of the area in which the project is located; and (3) that will help establish a regional energy hub in the Appalachian region for natural gas and natural gas liquids, including hydrogen produced from the steam methane reforming of natural gas feedstocks. (b) Limitation on available amounts Of the cost of any activity eligible for a grant under this section— (1) except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), not more than 50 percent may be provided from amounts made available to carry out this section; (2) in the case of a project to be carried out in a county for which a distressed county designation is in effect under section 14526, not more than 80 percent may be provided from amounts made available to carry out this section; and (3) in the case of a project to be carried out in a county for which an at-risk county designation is in effect under section 14526, not more than 70 percent may be provided from amounts made available to carry out this section. (c) Sources of assistance Subject to subsection (b), a grant provided under this section may be provided from amounts made available to carry out this section, in combination with amounts made available— (1) under any other Federal program; or (2) from any other source. (d) Federal share Notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the Federal share under any other Federal program, amounts made available to carry out this section may be used to increase that Federal share, as the Appalachian Regional Commission determines to be appropriate. . (2) Clerical amendment The analysis for subchapter I of chapter 145 14511. Appalachian regional energy hub initiative. . (b) Authorization of appropriations Section 14703 of title 40, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (4) by striking and (B) in paragraph (5) by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (6) $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. ; (2) in subsection (c), by striking $10,000,000 may be used to carry out section 14509 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021 $20,000,000 may be used to carry out section 14509 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 (3) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and (4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Appalachian regional energy hub initiative Of the amounts made available under subsection (a), $5,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 14511 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. . (c) Termination Section 14704 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking 2021 2026

Summary: Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative Act This bill authorizes the Appalachian Regional Commission through FY2026. It also requires the commission to provide technical assistance and grants to individuals or entities in the Appalachian region for projects and activities (1) to conduct research and analysis regarding the impact of an ethane storage hub in the region, (2) with the potential to significantly contribute to the economic resilience of the area where the project is located, and (3) that will help establish a regional energy hub in the region for natural gas and natural gas liquids.