2023 Utah Code › Title 79 - Natural Resources › Chapter 6 - Utah Energy Act › Part 1 - General Provisions › Section 106 - Hydrogen advisory council.

Effective 5/3/2023
79-6-106.
Hydrogen advisory council.
(1) The department shall create a hydrogen advisory council within the office that consists of seven to nine members appointed by the executive director, in consultation with the energy advisor. The executive director shall appoint members with expertise in:
(a) hydrogen energy in general;
(b) hydrogen project facilities;
(c) technology suppliers;
(d) hydrogen producers or processors;
(e) renewable and fossil based power generation industries; and
(f) fossil fuel based hydrogen feedstock providers.
(2)
(a) Except as required by Subsection (2)(b), a member shall serve a four-year term.
(b) The executive director shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of council members are staggered so that approximately half of the hydrogen advisory council is appointed every two years.
(c) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be appointed for the unexpired term.
(3)
(a) A majority of the members appointed under this section constitutes a quorum of the hydrogen advisory council.
(b) The hydrogen advisory council shall determine:
(i) the time and place of meetings; and
(ii) any other procedural matter not specified in this section.
(4) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a) Section 63A-3-106;
(b) Section 63A-3-107; and
(c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
(5) The office shall staff the hydrogen advisory council.
(6) The hydrogen advisory council may:
(a) develop hydrogen facts and figures that facilitate use of hydrogen fuel within the state;
(b) encourage cross-state cooperation with states that have hydrogen programs;
(c) work with state agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders, such as environmental groups, to:
(i) recommend realistic goals for hydrogen development that can be executed within realistic time frames; and
(ii) educate, discuss, consult, and make recommendations in hydrogen related matters that benefit the state;
(d) promote hydrogen research at state institutions of higher education, as defined in Section 53B-3-102;
(e) make recommendations regarding how to qualify for federal funding of hydrogen projects, including hydrogen related projects for:
(i) the state;
(ii) a local government;
(iii) a privately commissioned project;
(iv) an educational project;
(v) scientific development; and
(vi) engineering and novel technologies;
(f) make recommendations related to the development of multiple feedstock or energy resources in the state such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, coal, natural gas, oil, water, electrolysis, coal gasification, liquefaction, hydrogen storage, safety handling, compression, and transportation;
(g) make recommendations to establish statewide safety protocols for production, transportation, and handling of hydrogen for both residential and commercial applications;
(h) facilitate public events to raise the awareness of hydrogen and hydrogen related fuels within the state and how hydrogen can be advantageous to all forms of transportation, heat, and power generation;
(i) review and make recommendations regarding legislation; and
(j) make other recommendations to the energy advisor related to hydrogen development in the state.
Enacted by Chapter 233, 2023 General Session