42 USC 16160 - Reports

§ 16151. Purposes
§ 16152. Definitions
§ 16153. Plan
§ 16154. Clean hydrogen research and development program
§ 16155. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Task Force
§ 16156. Technical Advisory Committee
§ 16157. Demonstration
§ 16158. Codes and standards
§ 16159. Disclosure
§ 16160. Reports
§ 16161. Solar and wind technologies
§ 16161a. Regional clean hydrogen hubs
§ 16161b. National clean hydrogen strategy and roadmap
§ 16161c. Clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling
§ 16161d. Clean hydrogen electrolysis program
§ 16161e. Laboratory management
§ 16162. Technology transfer
§ 16163. Miscellaneous provisions
§ 16164. Cost sharing
§ 16165. Savings clause
§ 16166. Clean hydrogen production qualifications

§ 16151. Purposes

The purposes of this subchapter are—

(1) to enable and promote comprehensive development, demonstration, and commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in partnership with industry;

(2) to make critical public investments in building strong links to private industry, institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, and research institutions to expand innovation and industrial growth;

(3) to build a mature hydrogen economy that creates fuel diversity in the massive transportation sector of the United States;

(4) to sharply decrease the dependency of the United States on imported oil, eliminate most emissions from the transportation sector, and greatly enhance our energy security; and

(5) to create, strengthen, and protect a sustainable national energy economy.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 802, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 844.)

§ 16152. Definitions

In this subchapter:

(1) Clean hydrogen; hydrogen

(2) Fuel cell

(3) Heavy-duty vehicle

The term “heavy-duty vehicle” means a motor vehicle that—

(A) is rated at more than 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight;

(B) has a curb weight of more than 6,000 pounds; or

(4) Infrastructure

(5) Light-duty vehicle

(6) Portable; storage

The terms “portable” and “storage”, when used in reference to a fuel cell, include—

(A) continuous electric power; and

(B) backup electric power.

(7) Task Force

(8) Technical Advisory Committee

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 803, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 844; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40312, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1006.)

§ 16153. Plan

Not later than 6 months after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a coordinated plan for the programs described in this subchapter and any other programs of the Department that are directly related to fuel cells or hydrogen. The plan shall describe, at a minimum—

(1) the agenda for the next 5 years for the programs authorized under this subchapter, including the agenda for each activity enumerated in section 16154(e) of this title;

(2) the types of entities that will carry out the activities under this subchapter and what role each entity is expected to play;

(3) the milestones that will be used to evaluate the programs for the next 5 years;

(4) the most significant technical and nontechnical hurdles that stand in the way of achieving the goals described in

(5) the policy assumptions that are implicit in the plan, including any assumptions that would affect the sources of hydrogen or the marketability of hydrogen-related products.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 804, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 845.)

§ 16154. Clean hydrogen research and development program

(a) In general

(b) GoalsThe goals of the program shall be—

(1) to advance research and development to demonstrate and commercialize the use of clean hydrogen in the transportation, utility, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors; and

(2) to demonstrate a standard of clean hydrogen production in the transportation, utility, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors by 2040.

(c) FocusIn carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary shall focus on factors that are common to the development of hydrogen infrastructure and the supply of vehicle and electric power for critical consumer and commercial applications, and that achieve continuous technical evolution and cost reduction, particularly for hydrogen production, the supply of hydrogen, storage of hydrogen, and end uses of hydrogen that—

(1) steadily increase production, distribution, and end use efficiency and reduce life-cycle emissions;

(2) resolve critical problems relating to catalysts, membranes, storage, lightweight materials, electronic controls, manufacturability, and other problems that emerge from the program;

(3) enhance sources of fossil fuels with carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration, renewable fuels, biofuels, and nuclear energy for hydrogen production; and

(4) enable widespread use of distributed electricity generation and storage.

(d) Public education and research

(e) ActivitiesIn carrying out the program, the Secretary, in partnership with the private sector, shall conduct activities to advance and support—

(1) the establishment of a series of technology cost goals oriented toward achieving the standard of clean hydrogen production developed under section 16166(a) of this title;

(2) the production of clean hydrogen from diverse energy sources, including—

(A) fossil fuels with carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration;

(B) hydrogen-carrier fuels (including ethanol and methanol);

(D) nuclear energy; and

(E) any other methods the Secretary determines to be appropriate;

(3) the use of clean hydrogen for commercial, industrial, and residential electric power generation;

(4) the use of clean hydrogen in industrial applications, including steelmaking, cement, chemical feedstocks, and process heat;

(5) the use of clean hydrogen for use as a fuel source for both residential and commercial comfort heating and hot water requirements;

(6) the safe and efficient delivery of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrier fuels, including—

(A) transmission by pipelines, including retrofitting the existing natural gas transportation infrastructure system to enable a transition to transport and deliver increasing levels of clean hydrogen, clean hydrogen blends, or clean hydrogen carriers;

(B) tanks and other distribution methods; and

(i) at central refueling stations; or

(ii) through distributed onsite generation;

(7) advanced vehicle, locomotive, maritime vessel, or plane technologies, including—

(A) engine and emission control systems;

(B) energy storage, electric propulsion, and hybrid systems;

(D) other advanced vehicle, locomotive, maritime vessel, or plane technologies;

(8) storage of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrier fuels, including the development of materials for safe and economic storage in gaseous, liquid, or solid form;

(9) the development of safe, durable, affordable, and efficient fuel cells, including fuel-flexible fuel cell power systems, improved manufacturing processes, high-temperature membranes, cost-effective fuel processing for natural gas, fuel cell stack and system reliability, low-temperature operation, and cold start capability;

(10) the ability of domestic clean hydrogen equipment manufacturers to manufacture commercially available competitive technologies in the United States;

(11) the use of clean hydrogen in the transportation sector, including in light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, rail transport, aviation, and maritime applications; and

(12) in coordination with relevant agencies, the development of appropriate, uniform codes and standards for the safe and consistent deployment and commercialization of clean hydrogen production, processing, delivery, and end-use technologies.

(f) Program goals

(1) VehiclesFor vehicles, the goals of the program are—

(A) to enable a commitment by automakers no later than year 2015 to offer safe, affordable, and technically viable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the mass consumer market; and

(B) to enable production, delivery, and acceptance by consumers of model year 2020 hydrogen fuel cell and other hydrogen-powered vehicles that will have, when compared to light duty vehicles in model year 2005—

(i) fuel economy that is substantially higher;

(ii) substantially lower emissions of air pollutants; and

(iii) equivalent or improved vehicle fuel system crash integrity and occupant protection.

(2) Hydrogen energy and energy infrastructureFor hydrogen energy and energy infrastructure, the goals of the program are to enable a commitment not later than 2015 that will lead to infrastructure by 2020 that will provide—

(A) safe and convenient refueling;

(B) improved overall efficiency;

(i) production, with consideration of emissions levels;

(ii) delivery, including transmission by pipeline and other distribution methods for hydrogen; and

(iii) storage, including storage in surface transportation vehicles;

(D) hydrogen for fuel cells, internal combustion engines, and other energy conversion devices for portable, stationary, micro, critical needs facilities, and transportation applications; and

(E) other technologies consistent with the Department’s plan.

(3) Fuel cellsThe goals for fuel cells and their portable, stationary, and transportation applications are to enable—

(A) safe, economical, and environmentally sound hydrogen fuel cells;

(B) fuel cells for light duty and other vehicles; and

(g) Funding

(1) In general

(2) Research centers

(h) Hydrogen supplyThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out projects and activities relating to hydrogen production, storage, distribution and dispensing, transport, education and coordination, and technology transfer under this section—

(1) $160,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;

(2) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;

(3) $220,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(4) $230,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(5) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and

(6) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2020.

(i) Fuel cell technologiesThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out projects and activities relating to fuel cell technologies under this section—

(1) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;

(2) $160,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;

(3) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(4) $180,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(5) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and

(6) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2020.

(j) Targets

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 805, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40313(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1006.)

§ 16155. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Task Force

(a) Establishment

Not later than 120 days after August 8, 2005, the President shall establish an interagency task force chaired by the Secretary with representatives from each of the following:

(1) The Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President.

(2) The Department of Transportation.

(3) The Department of Defense.

(4) The Department of Commerce (including the National Institute of Standards and Technology).

(5) The Department of State.

(6) The Environmental Protection Agency.

(7) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(8) Other Federal agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(b) Duties

(1) Planning

The Task Force shall work toward—

(A) a safe, economical, and environmentally sound fuel infrastructure for hydrogen and hydrogen-carrier fuels, including an infrastructure that supports buses and other fleet transportation;

(B) fuel cells in government and other applications, including portable, stationary, and transportation applications;

(D) uniform hydrogen codes, standards, and safety protocols; and

(E) vehicle hydrogen fuel system integrity safety performance.

(2) Activities

The Task Force may organize workshops and conferences, may issue publications, and may create databases to carry out its duties. The Task Force shall—

(A) foster the exchange of generic, nonproprietary information and technology among industry, academia, and government;

(B) develop and maintain an inventory and assessment of hydrogen, fuel cells, and other advanced technologies, including the commercial capability of each technology for the economic and environmentally safe production, distribution, delivery, storage, and use of hydrogen;

(C) integrate technical and other information made available as a result of the programs and activities under this subchapter;

(D) promote the marketplace introduction of infrastructure for hydrogen fuel vehicles; and

(E) conduct an education program to provide hydrogen and fuel cell information to potential end-users.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 806, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 848.)

§ 16156. Technical Advisory Committee

(a) Establishment

(b) Membership

(1) Members

(2) Terms

(3) Chairperson

The Technical Advisory Committee shall review and make recommendations to the Secretary on—

(1) the implementation of programs and activities under this subchapter;

(2) the safety, economical, and environmental consequences of technologies for the production, distribution, delivery, storage, or use of hydrogen energy and fuel cells; and

(3) the plan under section 16153 of this title.

(d) Response

(1) Consideration of recommendations

(2) Biennial report

(e) Support

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 807, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 849.)

§ 16157. Demonstration

(a) In generalIn carrying out the programs under this section, the Secretary shall fund a limited number of demonstration projects, consistent with this subchapter and a determination of the maturity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impacts of technologies supporting each project. In selecting projects under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable and in the public interest, select projects that—

(1) involve using hydrogen and related products at existing facilities or installations, such as existing office buildings, military bases, vehicle fleet centers, transit bus authorities, or units of the National Park System;

(2) depend on reliable power from hydrogen to carry out essential activities;

(3) lead to the replication of hydrogen technologies and draw such technologies into the marketplace;

(4) include vehicle, portable, and stationary demonstrations of fuel cell and hydrogen-based energy technologies;

(5) address the interdependency of demand for hydrogen fuel cell applications and hydrogen fuel infrastructure;

(6) raise awareness of hydrogen technology among the public;

(7) facilitate identification of an optimum technology among competing alternatives;

(8) address distributed generation using renewable sources;

(9) carry out demonstrations of evolving hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in national parks, remote island areas, and on Indian tribal land, as selected by the Secretary;

(10) carry out a program to demonstrate developmental hydrogen and fuel cell systems for mobile, portable, and stationary uses, using improved versions of the learning demonstrations program concept of the Department including demonstrations involving—

(A) light-duty vehicles;

(B) heavy-duty vehicles;

(D) specialty industrial and farm vehicles; and

(E) commercial and residential portable, continuous, and backup electric power generation;

(11) in accordance with any code or standards developed in a region, fund prototype, pilot fleet, and infrastructure regional hydrogen supply corridors along the interstate highway system in varied climates across the United States; and

(12) fund demonstration programs that explore the use of hydrogen blends, hybrid hydrogen, and hydrogen reformed from renewable agricultural fuels, including the use of hydrogen in hybrid electric, heavier duty, and advanced internal combustion-powered vehicles.

The Secretary shall give preference to projects which address multiple elements contained in paragraphs (1) through (12).

(b) System demonstrations

(1)1

1 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.

In generalAs a component of the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall provide grants, on a cost share basis as appropriate, to eligible entities (as determined by the Secretary) for use in—

(A) devising system design concepts that provide for the use of advanced composite vehicles in programs under section 16122 of this title that—

(i) have as a primary goal the reduction of drive energy requirements;

(ii) after 2010, add another research and development phase, as defined in subsection (c), including the vehicle and infrastructure partnerships developed under the learning demonstrations program concept of the Department; and

(iii) are managed through an enhanced FreedomCAR program within the Department that encourages involvement in cost-shared projects by manufacturers and governments; and

(B) designing a local distributed energy system that—

(i) incorporates renewable hydrogen production, off-grid electricity production, and fleet applications in industrial or commercial service;

(ii) integrates energy or applications described in clause (i), such as stationary, portable, micro, and mobile fuel cells, into a high-density commercial or residential building complex or agricultural community; and

(iii) is managed in cooperation with industry, State, tribal, and local governments, agricultural organizations, and nonprofit generators and distributors of electricity.

(c) Identification of new program requirementsIn carrying out the demonstrations under subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Task Force and the Technical Advisory Committee, shall—

(1) after 2008 for stationary and portable applications, and after 2010 for vehicles, identify new requirements that refine technological concepts, planning, and applications; and

(2) during the second phase of the learning demonstrations under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), redesign subsequent program work to incorporate those requirements.

(d) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—

(1) $185,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;

(2) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;

(3) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(4) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(5) $375,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and

(6) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2020.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 808, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 850.)

§ 16158. Codes and standards

(a) In general

(b) Educational efforts

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—

(1) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;

(2) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;

(3) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(4) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(5) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and

(6) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2020.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 809, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 851.)

§ 16159. Disclosure

Section 13293 of this title shall apply to any project carried out through a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 810, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 852.)

§ 16160. Reports

(a) SecretarySubject to subsection (c), not later than 2 years after August 8, 2005, and triennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing—

(1) activities carried out by the Department under this subchapter,1

1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

for hydrogen and fuel cell technology;

(2) measures the Secretary has taken during the preceding 3 years to support the transition of primary industry (or a related industry) to a fully commercialized hydrogen economy;

(3) any change made to the strategy relating to hydrogen and fuel cell technology to reflect the results of a learning demonstrations;

(4) progress, including progress in infrastructure, made toward achieving the goal of producing and deploying not less than—

(A) 100,000 hydrogen-fueled vehicles in the United States by 2010; and

(B) 2,500,000 hydrogen-fueled vehicles in the United States by 2020;

(5) progress made toward achieving the goal of supplying hydrogen at a sufficient number of fueling stations in the United States by 2010 including by integrating—

(A) hydrogen activities; and

(B) associated targets and timetables for the development of hydrogen technologies;

(6) any problem relating to the design, execution, or funding of a program under this subchapter;

(7) progress made toward and goals achieved in carrying out this subchapter and updates to the developmental roadmap, including the results of the reviews conducted by the National Academy of Sciences under subsection (b) for the fiscal years covered by the report; and

(8) any updates to strategic plans that are necessary to meet the goals described in paragraph (4).

(b) External review

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 811, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 852.)

§ 16161. Solar and wind technologies

(a) Solar energy technologiesThe Secretary shall—

(1) prepare a detailed roadmap for carrying out the provisions in this subchapter related to solar energy technologies and for implementing the recommendations related to solar energy technologies that are included in the report transmitted under subsection (e);

(2) provide for the establishment of 5 projects in geographic areas that are regionally and climatically diverse to demonstrate the production of hydrogen at solar energy facilities, including one demonstration project at a National Laboratory or institution of higher education;

(3) establish a program—

(A) to develop optimized concentrating solar power devices that may be used for the production of both electricity and hydrogen; and

(B) to evaluate the use of thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production at the temperatures attainable with concentrating solar power devices;

(4) coordinate with activities sponsored by the Department’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology on high-temperature materials, thermochemical cycles, and economic issues related to solar energy;

(5) provide for the construction and operation of new concentrating solar power devices or solar power cogeneration facilities that produce hydrogen either concurrently with, or independently of, the production of electricity;

(6) support existing facilities and programs of study related to concentrating solar power devices; and

(7) establish a program—

(A) to develop methods that use electricity from photovoltaic devices for the onsite production of hydrogen, such that no intermediate transmission or distribution infrastructure is required or used and future demand growth may be accommodated;

(B) to evaluate the economics of small-scale electrolysis for hydrogen production; and

(C) to study the potential of modular photovoltaic devices for the development of a hydrogen infrastructure, the security implications of a hydrogen infrastructure, and the benefits potentially derived from a hydrogen infrastructure.

(b) Wind energy technologiesThe Secretary shall—

(1) prepare a detailed roadmap for carrying out the provisions in this subchapter related to wind energy technologies and for implementing the recommendations related to wind energy technologies that are included in the report transmitted under subsection (e); and

(2) provide for the establishment of 5 projects in geographic areas that are regionally and climatically diverse to demonstrate the production of hydrogen at existing wind energy facilities, including one demonstration project at a National Laboratory or institution of higher education.

(c) Program supportThe Secretary shall support programs at institutions of higher education for the development of solar energy technologies and wind energy technologies for the production of hydrogen. The programs supported under this subsection shall—

(1) enhance fellowship and faculty assistance programs;

(2) provide support for fundamental research;

(3) encourage collaborative research among industry, National Laboratories, and institutions of higher education;

(4) support communication and outreach; and

(5) to the greatest extent possible—

(A) be located in geographic areas that are regionally and climatically diverse; and

(B) be located at part B institutions, minority institutions, and institutions of higher education located in States participating in the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research of the Department.

(d) Institutions of higher education and National Laboratory interactions

(e) Report

(f) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—

(1) the term “concentrating solar power devices” means devices that concentrate the power of the sun by reflection or refraction to improve the efficiency of a photovoltaic or thermal generation process;

(2) the term “minority institution” has the meaning given to that term in section 1067k of title 20;

(3) the term “part B institution” has the meaning given to that term in section 1061 of title 20; and

(4) the term “photovoltaic devices” means devices that convert light directly into electricity through a solid-state, semiconductor process.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 812, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 853.)

§ 16161a. Regional clean hydrogen hubs

(a) Definition of regional clean hydrogen hub

(b) Establishment of program

The Secretary shall establish a program to support the development of at least 4 regional clean hydrogen hubs that—

(1) demonstrably aid the achievement of the clean hydrogen production standard developed under section 16166(a) of this title;

(2) demonstrate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen; and

(3) can be developed into a national clean hydrogen network to facilitate a clean hydrogen economy.

(1) Solicitation of proposals

(2) Selection of hubs

(3) Criteria

The Secretary shall select regional clean hydrogen hubs under paragraph (2) using the following criteria:

(A) Feedstock diversity

To the maximum extent practicable—

(i) at least 1 regional clean hydrogen hub shall demonstrate the production of clean hydrogen from fossil fuels;

(ii) at least 1 regional clean hydrogen hub shall demonstrate the production of clean hydrogen from renewable energy; and

(iii) at least 1 regional clean hydrogen hub shall demonstrate the production of clean hydrogen from nuclear energy.

(B) End-use diversity

To the maximum extent practicable—

(i) at least 1 regional clean hydrogen hub shall demonstrate the end-use of clean hydrogen in the electric power generation sector;

(ii) at least 1 regional clean hydrogen hub shall demonstrate the end-use of clean hydrogen in the industrial sector;

(iii) at least 1 regional clean hydrogen hub shall demonstrate the end-use of clean hydrogen in the residential and commercial heating sector; and

(iv) at least 1 regional clean hydrogen hub shall demonstrate the end-use of clean hydrogen in the transportation sector.

To the maximum extent practicable, each regional clean hydrogen hub—

(i) shall be located in a different region of the United States; and

(ii) shall use energy resources that are abundant in that region.

(D) Hubs in natural gas-producing regions

(E) Employment

(F) Additional criteria

(4) Funding of regional clean hydrogen hubs

(d) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 813, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1008.)

§ 16161b. National clean hydrogen strategy and roadmap

(a) Development

(1) In general

(2) InclusionsThe national clean hydrogen strategy and roadmap developed under paragraph (1) shall focus on—

(A) establishing a standard of hydrogen production that achieves the standard developed under section 16166(a) of this title, including interim goals towards meeting that standard;

(B)

(i) clean hydrogen production and use from natural gas, coal, renewable energy sources, nuclear energy, and biomass; and

(ii) identifying potential barriers, pathways, and opportunities, including Federal policy needs, to transition to a clean hydrogen economy;

(i) economic opportunities for the production, processing, transport, storage, and use of clean hydrogen that exist in the major shale natural gas-producing regions of the United States;

(ii) economic opportunities for the production, processing, transport, storage, and use of clean hydrogen that exist for merchant nuclear power plants operating in deregulated markets; and

(iii) environmental risks associated with potential deployment of clean hydrogen technologies in those regions, and ways to mitigate those risks;

(D) approaches, including substrategies, that reflect geographic diversity across the country, to advance clean hydrogen based on resources, industry sectors, environmental benefits, and economic impacts in regional economies;

(E) identifying opportunities to use, and barriers to using, existing infrastructure, including all components of the natural gas infrastructure system, the carbon dioxide pipeline infrastructure system, end-use local distribution networks, end-use power generators, LNG terminals, industrial users of natural gas, and residential and commercial consumers of natural gas, for clean hydrogen deployment;

(F) identifying the needs for and barriers and pathways to developing clean hydrogen hubs (including, where appropriate, clean hydrogen hubs coupled with carbon capture, utilization, and storage hubs) that—

(i) are regionally dispersed across the United States and can leverage natural gas to the maximum extent practicable;

(ii) can demonstrate the efficient production, processing, delivery, and use of clean hydrogen;

(iii) include transportation corridors and modes of transportation, including transportation of clean hydrogen by pipeline and rail and through ports; and

(iv) where appropriate, could serve as joint clean hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization, and storage hubs;

(G) prioritizing activities that improve the ability of the Department to develop tools to model, analyze, and optimize single-input, multiple-output integrated hybrid energy systems and multiple-input, multiple-output integrated hybrid energy systems that maximize efficiency in providing hydrogen, high-value heat, electricity, and chemical synthesis services;

(H) identifying the appropriate points of interaction between and among Federal agencies involved in the production, processing, delivery, storage, and use of clean hydrogen and clarifying the responsibilities of those Federal agencies, and potential regulatory obstacles and recommendations for modifications, in order to support the deployment of clean hydrogen; and

(I) identifying geographic zones or regions in which clean hydrogen technologies could efficiently and economically be introduced in order to transition existing infrastructure to rely on clean hydrogen, in support of decarbonizing all relevant sectors of the economy.

(b) Reports to Congress

(1) In general

(2) Updates

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 814, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1010.)

§ 16161c. Clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling

(a) Clean hydrogen manufacturing initiative

(1) In general

(2) PriorityIn awarding grants or entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, or other agreements under paragraph (1), the Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall give priority to clean hydrogen equipment manufacturing projects that—

(A) increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness in—

(i) the manufacturing process; and

(ii) the use of resources, including existing energy infrastructure;

(B) support domestic supply chains for materials and components;

(D) operate in partnership with tribal energy development organizations, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian community-based organizations, or territories or freely associated States; or

(E) are located in economically distressed areas of the major natural gas-producing regions of the United States.

(3) Evaluation

(b) Clean hydrogen technology recycling research, development, and demonstration program

(1) In generalIn carrying out the programs established under sections 16154 and 16161a of this title, the Secretary shall award multiyear grants to, and enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, or any other agreements authorized under this Act or other Federal law with, eligible entities for research, development, and demonstration projects to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of clean hydrogen technologies, including by—

(A) increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the recovery of raw materials from clean hydrogen technology components and systems, including enabling technologies such as electrolyzers and fuel cells;

(B) minimizing environmental impacts from the recovery and disposal processes;

(C) addressing any barriers to the research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of technologies and processes for the disassembly and recycling of devices used for clean hydrogen production, processing, delivery, storage, and use;

(D) developing alternative materials, designs, manufacturing processes, and other aspects of clean hydrogen technologies;

(E) developing alternative disassembly and resource recovery processes that enable efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible disassembly of, and resource recovery from, clean hydrogen technologies; and

(F) developing strategies to increase consumer acceptance of, and participation in, the recycling of fuel cells.

(2) Dissemination of results

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 815, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1011.)

§ 16161d. Clean hydrogen electrolysis program

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Electrolysis

(2) Electrolyzer

(3) Program

(b) Establishment

(1) to reduce the cost of hydrogen produced using electrolyzers to less than $2 per kilogram of hydrogen by 2026; and

(2) any other goals the Secretary determines are appropriate.

(d) Demonstration projectsIn carrying out the program, the Secretary shall fund demonstration projects—

(1) to demonstrate technologies that produce clean hydrogen using electrolyzers; and

(2) to validate information on the cost, efficiency, durability, and feasibility of commercial deployment of the technologies described in paragraph (1).

(e) FocusThe program shall focus on research relating to, and the development, demonstration, and deployment of—

(1) low-temperature electrolyzers, including liquid-alkaline electrolyzers, membrane-based electrolyzers, and other advanced electrolyzers, capable of converting intermittent sources of electric power to clean hydrogen with enhanced efficiency and durability;

(2) high-temperature electrolyzers that combine electricity and heat to improve the efficiency of clean hydrogen production;

(3) advanced reversible fuel cells that combine the functionality of an electrolyzer and a fuel cell;

(4) new highly active, selective, and durable electrolyzer catalysts and electro-catalysts that—

(A) greatly reduce or eliminate the need for platinum group metals; and

(B) enable electrolysis of complex mixtures with impurities, including seawater;

(5) modular electrolyzers for distributed energy systems and the bulk-power system (as defined in section 824o(a) of title 16);

(6) low-cost membranes or electrolytes and separation materials that are durable in the presence of impurities or seawater;

(7) improved component design and material integration, including with respect to electrodes, porous transport layers and bipolar plates, and balance-of-system components, to allow for scale-up and domestic manufacturing of electrolyzers at a high volume;

(8) clean hydrogen storage technologies;

(9) technologies that integrate hydrogen production with—

(A) clean hydrogen compression and drying technologies;

(B) clean hydrogen storage; and

(10) integrated systems that combine hydrogen production with renewable power or nuclear power generation technologies, including hybrid systems with hydrogen storage.

(f) Grants, contracts, cooperative agreements

(1) Grants

(2) Contracts and cooperative agreements

(3) Eligibility; applications

(A) In general

(B) Applications

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 816, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1013.)

§ 16161e. Laboratory management

(a) In general

(b) Coordination; clearinghouseIn carrying out subsection (a), the National Energy Technology Laboratory shall—

(1) coordinate with—

(A) the Idaho National Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and other National Laboratories in a cross-cutting manner;

(B) institutions of higher education;

(D) industrial researchers; and

(E) international researchers; and

(2) act as a clearinghouse to collect information from, and distribute information to, the National Laboratories and other entities described in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 817, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1014.)

§ 16162. Technology transfer

In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall carry out programs that—

(1) provide for the transfer of critical hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to the private sector;

(2) accelerate wider application of those technologies in the global market;

(3) foster the exchange of generic, nonproprietary information; and

(4) assess technical and commercial viability of technologies relating to the production, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen energy and fuel cells.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 818, formerly § 813, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 855; renumbered § 818, Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1008.)

§ 16163. Miscellaneous provisions

(a) Representation

The Secretary may represent the United States interests with respect to activities and programs under this subchapter, in coordination with the Department of Transportation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and other relevant Federal agencies, before governments and nongovernmental organizations including—

(1) other Federal, State, regional, and local governments and their representatives;

(2) industry and its representatives, including members of the energy and transportation industries; and

(3) in consultation with the Department of State, foreign governments and their representatives including international organizations.

(b) Regulatory authority

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 819, formerly § 814, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 855; renumbered § 819, Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1008.)

§ 16164. Cost sharing

The costs of carrying out projects and activities under this subchapter shall be shared in accordance with section 16352 of this title.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 820, formerly § 815, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 855; renumbered § 820, Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1008.)

§ 16165. Savings clause

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to affect the authority of the Secretary of Transportation that may exist prior to August 8, 2005, with respect to—

(1) research into, and regulation of, hydrogen-powered vehicles fuel systems integrity, standards, and safety under subtitle VI of title 49;

(2) regulation of hazardous materials transportation under chapter 51 of title 49;

(3) regulation of pipeline safety under chapter 601 of title 49;

(4) encouragement and promotion of research, development, and deployment activities relating to advanced vehicle technologies under section 5506 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of title 49;

(5) regulation of motor vehicle safety under chapter 301 of title 49;

(6) automobile fuel economy under chapter 329 of title 49; or

(7) representation of the interests of the United States with respect to the activities and programs under the authority of title 49.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 821, formerly § 816, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 855; renumbered § 821, Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40314(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1008.)

§ 16166. Clean hydrogen production qualifications

(a) In general

(b) Requirements

(1) In general

The standard developed under subsection (a) shall—

(A) support clean hydrogen production from each source described in section 16154(e)(2) of this title;

(B) define the term “clean hydrogen” to mean hydrogen produced with a carbon intensity equal to or less than 2 kilograms of carbon dioxide-equivalent produced at the site of production per kilogram of hydrogen produced; and

(2) Adjustment

Not later than the date that is 5 years after the date on which the Secretary develops the standard under subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and after taking into account input from industry and other stakeholders, as determined by the Secretary, shall—

(A) determine whether the definition of clean hydrogen required under paragraph (1)(B) should be adjusted below the standard described in that paragraph; and

(B) if the Secretary determines the adjustment described in subparagraph (A) is appropriate, carry out the adjustment.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, § 822, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40315(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1015.)