Advancing Hydrogen Power Research and Development Act
Bill: H.R.6780 | Sponsor: Rep. Lesko, Debbie (R-AZ)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Advancing Hydrogen Power Research and Development Act
This bill requires the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to report on barriers to the development, deployment, and use of hydrogen as a fuel source for residential, commercial, industrial, and electric power uses. Additionally, FERC must implement a pilot program for hydrogen blending projects in accordance with the Natural Gas Act.

To identify barriers to the deployment of hydrogen as a fuel source, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing Hydrogen Power Research 
and Development Act''.

SEC. 2. IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING MARKET AND REGULATORY BARRIERS TO 
              HYDROGEN ENERGY.

    (a) Report on Hydrogen Energy Barriers.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Department of Energy and the 
        Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (in this section referred 
        to as the ``Commission'') shall submit to the Committee on 
        Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report--
                    (A) describing any barriers to the development, 
                deployment, and use of hydrogen as a fuel source for 
                residential, commercial, industrial, and electric power 
                uses, including barriers to the development and 
                deployment of hydrogen transportation and storage 
                infrastructure, caused by--
                            (i) the rules of a Transmission 
                        Organization (as defined in section 3 of the 
                        Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796));
                            (ii) any order, regulation, or policy--
                                    (I) of the Commission; and
                                    (II) issued pursuant to the Federal 
                                Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.) or 
                                the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et 
                                seq.); and
                            (iii) any other Federal or State law, 
                        regulation, or policy;
                    (B) containing recommendations of the Commission 
                for reducing the barriers described in subparagraph 
                (A); and
                    (C) identifying any regulatory, market, 
                procurement, or cost recovery mechanisms that would 
                encourage the development, deployment, and use of 
                hydrogen as a fuel source for residential, commercial, 
                industrial, and electric power uses.
            (2) Public input and technical conference.--In preparing 
        the report under paragraph (1), the Commission shall solicit 
        public input, including by convening a technical conference and 
        providing an opportunity for public submission of written 
        comments on a draft report.
    (b) Hydrogen Blending Pilot Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall establish and carry 
        out a pilot program for hydrogen blending projects in 
        accordance with the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et seq.).
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out the pilot program under 
        paragraph (1), the Commission shall--
                    (A) not later than 60 days after the date of 
                enactment of this section, hold an initial workshop to 
                solicit public comments and recommendations on how to 
                carry out the pilot program;
                    (B) establish an application process to determine 
                which hydrogen blending projects may participate in the 
                pilot program;
                    (C) not later than 180 days after the date of 
                enactment of this section, issue any licenses, permits, 
                or other authorizations necessary for participation in 
                the pilot program; and
                    (D) not later than 2 years after the date on which 
                the final hydrogen blending project is implemented, 
                hold a final workshop to solicit public comment on the 
                effectiveness of the pilot program.
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