Bills to Expand and Diversify Resources for Energy Sector
WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative, which is composed of three bills to support the deployment of hydrogen technologies and the buildout of the requisite infrastructure needed to transport, store, and deliver hydrogen. The bipartisan legislative package is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).
“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source, but we lack the infrastructure to reap its benefits for a wide range of industries,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would help make hydrogen more accessible and cost-effective so businesses and consumers can utilize this reliable energy resource.”
Background:
Hydrogen’s versatility as an energy carrier and feedstock makes it an attractive fuel source, especially for the shipping and heavy industry sectors. However, early adopters of hydrogen face cost barriers and first-mover risks that require federal partnerships to overcome. As a result, significant investment is needed in all parts of the value chain to drive a robust hydrogen economy in the United States.
- The Hydrogen for Ports Act would establish a grant program to support hydrogen-fueled equipment at ports and in shipping applications.
- The Hydrogen for Industry Act would establish a grant program to support commercial-scale demonstration projects for end-use industrial applications of hydrogen, including in the production of steel, cement, glass, and chemicals.
- The Hydrogen Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (HIFIA) creates a pilot financing program to provide grants and flexible, low-interest loans for retrofitted or new hydrogen transport infrastructure, storage projects, and refueling stations. The program is modeled after the TIFIA and WIFIA programs for highway and water infrastructure. U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) is a cosponsor of this legislation.