Instructs the Secretary of Energy to transmit to Congress a coordinated plan for a program conducted in partnership with the private sector that addresses: (1) hydrogen production from diverse energy sources, including fossil fuels; (2) safe delivery and storage of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrier fuels (including ethanol and methanol); (3) advanced vehicle technologies; (4) development of fuel cells and fuel-flexible fuel cell power systems; and (5) development of necessary codes and standards and safety practices for the production, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen, hydrogen-carrier fuels, and related products.
Directs the Secretary, in partnership with the private sector, to facilitate the deployment of: (1) hydrogen energy and energy infrastructure; (2) fuel cells; (3) advanced vehicle technologies; and (4) clean fuels in addition to hydrogen.
Directs the President to establish an interagency task force chaired by the Secretary to work toward the specified goals of this Act.
Establishes the Hydrogen Technical and Fuel Cell Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on programs and activities.
Mandates review of the implementation plan by a competitively selected nongovernmental entity, such as the National Academy of Sciences.
[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1777 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1777
To provide for the establishment at the Department of Energy of a
program for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 11, 2003
Mr. Boehlert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the establishment at the Department of Energy of a
program for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure, 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. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) The term ``Advisory Committee'' means the Hydrogen
Technical and Fuel Cell Advisory Committee established under
section 5 of this Act.
(2) The term ``Department'' means the Department of Energy.
(3) The term ``fuel cell'' means a device that directly
converts the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidant into
electricity by an electrochemical process taking place at
separate electrodes in the device.
(4) The term ``infrastructure'' means the equipment,
systems, or facilities used to produce, distribute, deliver, or
store hydrogen and other advanced clean fuels.
(5) The term ``light duty vehicle'' means a car or truck,
classified by the Department of Transportation as a Class I or
IIA vehicle.
(6) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.
SEC. 2. PLAN.
Not later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a coordinated plan for the
programs described in this Act 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 five years for the programs
authorized under this Act, including the agenda for each
activity enumerated in section 3(a);
(2) the types of entities that will carry out the
activities under this Act and what role each entity is expected
to play;
(3) the milestones that will be used to evaluate the
programs for the next five years;
(4) the most significant technical and nontechnical hurdles
that stand in the way of achieving the goals described in
section 3(b), and how the programs will address those hurdles;
and
(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.
SEC. 3. PROGRAM.
(a) Activities.--The Secretary, in partnership with the private
sector, shall conduct a program to address--
(1) production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources,
including--
(A) fossil fuels, which may include carbon capture
and sequestration;
(B) hydrogen-carrier fuels (including ethanol and
methanol);
(C) renewable energy resources; and
(D) nuclear energy;
(2) the safe delivery of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrier
fuels, including--
(A) transmission by pipeline and other distribution
methods; and
(B) convenient and economic refueling of vehicles
either at central refueling stations or through
distributed on-site generation;
(3) advanced vehicle technologies, including--
(A) engine and emission control systems;
(B) energy storage, electric propulsion, and hybrid
systems;
(C) automotive materials;
(D) clean fuels in addition to hydrogen; and
(E) other advanced vehicle technologies;
(4) storage of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrier fuels,
including development of materials for safe and economic
storage in gaseous, liquid, or solid form at refueling
facilities and onboard vehicles;
(5) development of safe, durable, affordable, and efficient
fuel cells, including research and development on 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; and
(6) development of necessary codes and standards (including
international codes and standards) and safety practices for the
production, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen,
hydrogen-carrier fuels and related products.
(b) Program Goals.--
(1) Vehicles.--For 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 vehicles that will have--
(i) a range of at least three hundred
miles;
(ii) improved performance and ease of
driving;
(iii) safety and performance comparable to
vehicle technologies in the market;
(iv) when compared to light duty vehicles
in model year 2003--
(I) a fuel economy that is two and
one half times the equivalent fuel
economy of comparable light duty
vehicles in model year 2003; and
(II) near zero emissions of air
pollutants; and
(v) vehicle fuel system crash integrity and
occupant protection.
(2) Hydrogen energy and energy infrastructure.--For
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;
(C) widespread availability of hydrogen from
domestic energy sources through--
(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, and transportation applications;
and
(E) other technologies consistent with the
Department's plan.
(3) Fuel cells.--The 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
(C) other technologies consistent with the
Department's plan.
(c) Demonstration.--In carrying out the program under this section,
the Secretary shall fund a limited number of demonstration projects. 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
facilities or installations that would exist without the
demonstration program, such as existing office buildings,
military bases, vehicle fleet centers, transit bus authorities,
or parks;
(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) integrate in a single project both mobile and
stationary applications of hydrogen fuel cells;
(5) address the interdependency of demand for hydrogen fuel
cell applications and hydrogen fuel infrastructure; and
(6) raise awareness of hydrogen technology among the
public.
(d) Deployment.--In carrying out the program under this section,
the Secretary shall, in partnership with the private sector, conduct
activities to facilitate the deployment of--
(1) hydrogen energy and energy infrastructure;
(2) fuel cells;
(3) advanced vehicle technologies; and
(4) clean fuels in addition to hydrogen.
(e) Funding.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out the program under
this section using a competitive, merit-review process and consistent
with the generally applicable Federal laws and regulations governing
awards of financial assistance, contracts, or other agreements.
(2) Activities under this section may be carried out by funding
nationally recognized university-based research centers.
(3) The Secretary shall endeavor to avoid duplication or
displacement of other research and development programs and activities.
(f) Cost Sharing.--
(1) Requirement.--For projects carried out through grants,
cooperative agreements, or contracts under this section, the
Secretary shall require a commitment from non-Federal sources
of at least--
(A) 20 percent of the cost of a project, except
projects carried out under subsections (c) and (d); and
(B) 50 percent of the cost of a project carried out
under subsection (c) or (d).
(2) Reduction.--The Secretary may reduce the non-Federal
requirement under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines
that--
(A) the reduction is appropriate considering the
technological risks involved; or
(B) the project is for technical analyses or other
activities that the Secretary does not expect to result
in a marketable product.
(3) Size of non-federal share.--The Secretary may consider
the size of the non-Federal share in selecting projects.
SEC. 4. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the President shall establish an interagency
task force chaired by the Secretary or his designee 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 Environmental Protection Agency.
(6) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(7) Other Federal agencies as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(b) Duties.--
(1) Planning.--The interagency 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;
(C) distributed power generation, including the
generation of combined heat, power, and clean fuels
including hydrogen;
(D) uniform hydrogen codes, standards, and safety
protocols; and
(E) vehicle hydrogen fuel system integrity safety
performance.
(2) Activities.--The interagency task force may organize
workshops and conferences, may issue publications, and may
create databases to carry out its duties. The interagency 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 Act;
(D) promote the marketplace introduction of
infrastructure for hydrogen and other clean fuel
vehicles; and
(E) conduct an education program to provide
hydrogen and fuel cell information to potential end-
users.
(c) Agency Cooperation.--The heads of all agencies, including those
whose agencies are not represented on the interagency task force, shall
cooperate with and furnish information to the interagency task force,
the Advisory Committee, and the Department.
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--The Hydrogen Technical and Fuel Cell Advisory
Committee is established to advise the Secretary on the programs and
activities under this Act.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Members.--The Advisory Committee is comprised of not
fewer than 12 nor more than 25 members. These members shall be
appointed by the Secretary to represent domestic industry,
academia, professional societies, government agencies, and
financial, environmental, and other appropriate organizations
based on the Department's assessment of the technical and other
qualifications of committee members and the needs of the
Advisory Committee.
(2) Terms.--The term of a member of the Advisory Committee
shall not be more than 3 years. The Secretary may appoint
members of the Advisory Committee in a manner that allows the
terms of the members serving at any time to expire at spaced
intervals so as to ensure continuity in the functioning of the
Advisory Committee. A member of the Advisory Committee whose
term is expiring may be reappointed.
(3) Chairperson.--The Advisory Committee shall have a
chairperson, who is elected by the members from among their
number.
(c) Review.--The Advisory Committee shall review and make
recommendations to the Secretary on--
(1) the implementation of programs and activities under
this Act;
(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 2.
(d) Response.--(1) The Secretary shall consider, but need not
adopt, any recommendations of the Advisory Committee under subsection
(c).
(2) The Secretary shall transmit a biennial report to the Congress
describing any recommendations made by the Advisory Committee since the
previous report. The report shall include a description of how the
Secretary has implemented or plans to implement the recommendations, or
an explanation of the reasons that a recommendation will not be
implemented. The report shall be transmitted along with the President's
budget proposal.
(e) Support.--The Secretary shall provide resources necessary in
the judgment of the Secretary for the Advisory Committee to carry out
its responsibilities under this Act.
SEC. 6. EXTERNAL REVIEW.
(a) Plan.--The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with a
competitively selected nongovernmental entity, such as the National
Academy of Sciences, to review the plan prepared under section 2, which
shall be completed not later than six months after the entity receives
the plan. Not later than 45 days after receiving the review, the
Secretary shall transmit the review to the Congress along with a plan
to implement the review's recommendations or an explanation of the
reasons that a recommendation will not be implemented.
(b) Additional Review.--The Secretary shall enter into an
arrangement with a competitively selected nongovernmental entity, such
as the National Academy of Sciences, under which the entity will review
the program under section 3 during the fourth year following the date
of enactment of this Act. The entity's review shall include the
research priorities and technical milestones, and evaluate the progress
toward achieving them. The review shall be completed no later than five
years after the date of enactment of this Act. Not later than 45 days
after receiving the review, the Secretary shall transmit the review to
the Congress along with a plan to implement the review's
recommendations or an explanation for the reasons that a recommendation
will not be implemented.
SEC. 7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) Representation.--The Secretary may represent the United States
interests with respect to activities and programs under this Act, 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.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to alter the regulatory authority of the Department.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, in
addition to any amounts made available for these purposes under other
Acts--
(1) $273,500,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $325,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $375,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $425,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
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