HR 9349 Introduced – NextGen Pipelines
Earlier this month, Rep Weber (R,TX) introduced HR 9349, the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act. 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 2027 for the three new programs.
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 requires 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,
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, 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.
Moving Forward
Weber, and all six of his cosponsors {Rep Lucas (R,OK), Rep LaTurner (R,KS), Rep Carey (R,OH), Rep Obernolte (R,CA), Rep Kim (R,CA), Rep Babin (R,TX)} are members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. Even without any Democratic sponsors, this bill could have been considered in Committee earlier in the session, but it is certainly too late for this bill to be considered in this session. It will probably be re-introduced next session.
Many Democrats on the Committee would have objected to this bill on the grounds that it has no support for renewable fuels. That could have been remedied by adding specific references to ethanol pipeline issues.
Republicans could probably have mustered sufficient Democratic support for this bill to get it approved in Committee, but this bill never could have made it to the floor under the suspension of the rules process and it would not have been a high enough priority for the Democratic leadership to bring it to the floor under regular order. The Republican leadership in the 118th Congress will have different priorities that may include this bill.
Commentary
There is a cybersecurity focus outlined in §4 of the bill, but some additional language could have been added to some of the technical focus areas outlined in the Demonstration Initiative to make it clear that cybersecurity should be an integrated part of any technological solution. For example, §4(b)(5) could have been changed to read:
(5) 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, including communications security processes to protect data flowing from sensors to pipeline control systems, which may include the following:”