Sec. 401. Studies of hydrogen pipeline transportation
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The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with a National Laboratory (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15801 ))— to conduct a study of the safety, technical, and practical considerations relating to the blending of hydrogen into existing natural gas systems; to issue a report on the results of that study, in accordance with paragraph (2); and to make recommendations to the Secretary for how to avoid or minimize any risks identified under paragraph (2)(C).
In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the following factors shall be taken into consideration: Systems that utilize a hydrogen content above 5 percent to determine if there are additional restrictions or requirements for the processes, materials, and standards that the operators of those systems have implemented to operate those systems safely. Remaining knowledge gaps, if any, relating to safely moving hydrogen-methane blends through existing natural gas distribution systems.
Safety risks, if any, of hydrogen-methane blends composed of over 5 percent hydrogen in existing natural gas distribution systems, including— leak rates of hydrogen-methane blends; the performance of hydrogen-methane blends in existing residential, commercial, and industrial infrastructure; and underground migration of leaked hydrogen-methane blends. Any relevant findings or recommendations of— the HyBlend research and development initiative commenced by the Department of Energy in 2021 for the purpose of addressing opportunities for hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines; and the study on hydrogen blending commissioned by the California Public Utilities Commission and carried out by the University of California, Riverside, entitled Hydrogen Blending Impacts Study .
The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the report prepared under paragraph (1)(B). Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on existing natural gas distribution systems that utilize hydrogen-natural gas blending applications, or utilize gas with a higher hydrogen content, to identify processes, materials, and standards that operators have implemented to operate those systems safely.
The study conducted under paragraph
(1)shall include an examination of natural gas distribution systems currently operating in— the United States; Canada; Europe; Australia; Hong Kong; and any other appropriate location, as determined by the Comptroller General of the United States. In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall consider systems that utilize a hydrogen content above 5 percent to determine if there are additional restrictions or requirements for the processes, materials, and standards that the operators of those systems have implemented to operate those systems safely. Not later than 1 year after completion of the studies under subsections
(a)and (b), the Secretary shall determine whether any updates to regulations are necessary to ensure the safety of natural gas distribution systems intentionally blending hydrogen at levels exceeding 5 percent. If the Secretary determines that updates to regulations are not necessary, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the reasons for that determination. Nothing in this section— authorizes the removal of the exemption for certain hydrogen pipelines described in section 192.625(b)(4) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on October 1, 2023); or affects— the authority of the Secretary under— section 60112 of title 49, United States Code; or subsection
(m)or
(p)of section 60117 of that title; or the authority of the Secretary to prescribe standards otherwise affecting the transportation of hydrogen by pipelines.
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Sec. 401
Studies of hydrogen pipeline transportation
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