S 647 Introduced
Hydrogen for Ports
Earlier this month, Sen Cornyn (R,TX) introduced S 647, the Hydrogen for Ports Act of 2023. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to establish a grant program “to demonstrate hydrogen, ammonia, or fuel cell technologies in maritime and associated logistics application.” The bill would authorize $100 million per year through FY 2028 for the program.
Definitions
Section 2(a) provides definitions for six key terms used in the legislation. Only one of the terms, ‘tribal government’ is defined by reference to an existing statutory definition. The one key technical term of interest here is ‘eligible fuel’ which is defined as hydrogen or ammonia. The term ‘ammonia’ should probably be ‘anhydrous ammonia’ for clarity’s sake.
Program
Section 2b would require DOT, in coordination with DOE, to establish a grant program for eligible entities to use hydrogen or ammonia in fuel cells for electric power production for:
Cargo-handling equipment,
Drayage or long-haul trucks,
Vessels,
Locomotives,
Shore power systems, and
Power plants for port systems.
Grants could also be provided for port infrastructure for establishing or expanding the supply of eligible fuel for import, export, storage, bunkering, or fueling, as well as for training personnel in eligible fuel handling and maintenance of equipment.
Subsection (c) establishes the goals for the new program:
To demonstrate hydrogen, ammonia, or fuel cell technologies in maritime and associated logistics applications,
To assist in the development and validation of technical targets for hydrogen, ammonia, and fuel cell systems for maritime and associated logistics applications,
To benchmark the conditions required for broad commercialization of hydrogen, ammonia, and fuel cell technologies in maritime and associated logistics applications,
To assess the operational and technical considerations for installing, constructing, and using hydrogen- or ammonia-fueled equipment; and
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in areas located in and around ports.
Subsection (h) provides a requirement (without definition, standards or reporting requirements) for all grant recipients to conduct:
A hydrogen leakage monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) program,
A hydrogen leak detection and repair (LDAR) program
Moving Forward
While Cornyn is not a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, two of his seven cosponsors {Sen Hickenlooper (D,CO), Sen Lujan (D,NM)} are members of the Committee. This means that there may be enough influence to see the bill considered. I see nothing in this bill that would engender any organized opposition to the legislation. The problem comes down to money. While spending reduction is not as important in the Senate as it is in the House this session, it will still be on the minds of the Senate leadership, knowing that a Senate passed bill must still successfully traverse the House to get to the White House.