HR 7073 Introduced
Next-Gen Pipelines
Last month, Rep Weber (R,TX) introduced HR 7073, the Next Generation Pipelines Research. The bill would require the Department of Energy to establish a new grant program to “carry out demonstration projects on low- to mid-technology readiness level subjects to achieve deployment of technologies”. It would also require DOE and DOT to conduct a joint R&D program to carry out basic research projects. Finally, the bill would require DOE to establish the National Pipeline Modernization Center. The bill would authorize $50-million, $30-million and $15-million through 2028 for the three new programs.
This bill is very similar to HR 9349 [removed from paywall] introduced by Webber in the 117th Congress. Most of the changes are editorial in nature; §4 of the earlier bill, for instance, is changed to include the earlier language in a new §40344 to be added to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (PL 117-158). The major change, however, is that a new §8 has been added to the bill that would provide an off-set for the new spending authorized in the bill by reducing funding in §10771, Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration activities, of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (PL 117-167), after extending that spending authorization through 2028. The new version of the bill also adds a new §7, NIST Pipeline Metrology, authorized at $2.5-million per year through 2028.
HR 9349 was introduced too late in the 117th Congress for any action to be taken.
Definitions
Section 2 of the bill provides definitions for four key terms used in the bill. The one term of specific interest would be ‘eligible entity’.
Demonstration Initiative
Section 4 of the bill would add a new §40344, Advanced Pipeline Materials and Technologies Demonstration Initiative, to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The new section would require DOE to establish a demonstration initiative where the Department supports “demonstration projects on low- to mid-technology readiness level subjects to achieve deployment of technologies” involve the development of next generation pipeline systems, components, and related technologies. The focus areas for the technological development will include:
Advanced leak detection and mitigation tools and technologies,
Novel materials, including alloy and nonmetallic materials, to improve integrity for new and existing pipelines,
Technologies and methods for retrofitting existing pipelines, resolving material compatibility issues, and minimizing leakage, such as field protective coatings and material treatment,
Advanced manufacturing approaches for producing, fitting, and coupling pipelines,
Advanced sensor technologies and processes that enable real-time or in situ monitoring of pipeline assets to assess and mitigate leaks, both internal and external to the pipeline,
Advanced computational, data analytics, and machine learning models,
Self-healing and self-repair functionalities, including by chemical treatment methods,
Autonomous robotic and patch technologies for inspection and repair,
Dynamic compressor technologies, including retrofit kits for existing compressor systems,
Strategies and technologies for integrated cybersecurity considerations and countering cyberattacks,
Technologies and methods to reduce potential environmental impacts, including at the atmospheric and subsurface level, associated with pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities, and gas and liquid fuel storage facilities,
Tools to evaluate geographical pipeline data for the feasibility of repurposing existing infrastructure for safe and effective transport and use of alternative fuels, blends, and carbon dioxide, and
Tools and technologies applicable to improving the safety, operation, and efficiency of liquefied natural gas facilities and gas and liquid fuel storage facilities.
Joint R&D
Section 5 of the bill would require DOE to establish a joint R&D research program with DOT and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out basic research projects that:
Develop cost-effective advanced materials and technologies for pipeline transportation systems at different scales,
Enable the commercialization of innovative materials and technologies for pipeline transportation systems,
Support the development of technical standards of innovative materials and technologies for pipeline transportation systems, and
Are at a low technology readiness level and not pursued by the Pipeline Safety Research Program of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the Department of Transportation.
National Pipeline Modernization Center
Section 6 of the bill would require DOE to establish a National Pipeline Modernization Center to “focus on collaborating with industry and stakeholders to coordinate and carry out research, development, and demonstration projects focused on commercializing cost-effective products and procedures aligned with the goals and priorities set forth by the Department.”
Subsection (f) would require the Center to ‘coordinate and collaborate’ with DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration training centers to “facilitate knowledge sharing among, and enhanced training opportunities for, Federal and State pipeline safety inspectors and investigators.
NIST Pipeline Metrology
Section 7 would require the National Institute of Standards (NIST) to carry out a measurement research and development program to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities, and support pipeline safety, security, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. The bill would authorize $2.5-million per year through 2028 to support that metrology program.
Spending Authorization
Section 8 provides spending authorization for the programs outlined in §5 and §6 through 2028. Subsection (b) provides spending offsets for those authorizations (and the spending authorized in the new §40344), by reducing the funding authorized by §10771, Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration activities, of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act. The bill would extend the spending authorized in subsections (1) and (6) from 2026 through 2028. It then makes the following spending reductions:
To carry out sustainable transportation research, development, and demonstration activities – reduced from $1.2 billion to $1.1 billion,
To carry out clean industrial technologies research, development, and demonstration activities pursuant to 42 USC 17113 – reduced from $600 million to $445 million,
To carry out alternative fuels research, development, and demonstration activities – reduced from $200 million to $100 million, and
To carry out carbon removal research, development, and demonstration activities – reduced from $1 billion to $900 million.
Moving Forward
Webber and his three cosponsors {Rep Caraveo (D,CO), Rep Lucas (R,CO), and Rep Obernolte (R,CA)} are all members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see this bill considered in Committee. I do not see anything in the legislation that would engender organized opposition. I suspect that there would be bipartisan support for the bill, but I am not sure that it would be sufficient to allow the bill to move to the floor of the House under the suspension of the rules process.
Commentary
Webber’s staff has done an interesting job of neutralizing the money problem with this bill. Since no new monies are authorized, the fiscal hawks are less likely to object to the bill. The extension of the existing spending authorizations (albeit at somewhat reduced levels), give the environmental folks a reason to support the bill. And, of course, industry is sure to support federal funding of pipeline research efforts.