42 U.S. Code § 16154 - Programs | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

(a) In general

The Secretary, in consultation with other Federal agencies and the private sector, shall conduct a research and development program on technologies relating to the production, purification, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and related infrastructure.

(b) Goal

The goal of the program shall be to demonstrate and commercialize the use of hydrogen for transportation (in light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles), utility, industrial, commercial, and residential applications.

(c) FocusIn carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary shall focus on factors that are common to the development of hydrogen infrastructure and the supply of vehicle and electric power for critical consumer and commercial applications, and that achieve continuous technical evolution and cost reduction, particularly for hydrogen production, the supply of hydrogen, storage of hydrogen, and end uses of hydrogen that—

(1)

steadily increase production, distribution, and end use efficiency and reduce life-cycle emissions;

(2)

resolve critical problems relating to catalysts, membranes, storage, lightweight materials, electronic controls, manufacturability, and other problems that emerge from the program;

(3)

enhance sources of renewable fuels and biofuels for hydrogen production; and

(4)

enable widespread use of distributed electricity generation and storage.

(d) Public education and research

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall support enhanced public education and research conducted at institutions of higher education in fundamental sciences, application design, and systems concepts (including education and research relating to materials, subsystems, manufacturability, maintenance, and safety) relating to hydrogen and fuel cells.

(e) ActivitiesThe Secretary, in partnership with the private sector, shall conduct programs 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, including biomass; and

(D)

nuclear energy;

(2)

use of hydrogen for commercial, industrial, and residential electric power generation;

(3) 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 onsite generation;

(4) advanced vehicle technologies, including—

(A)

engine and emission control systems;

(B)

energy storage, electric propulsion, and hybrid systems;

(C)

automotive materials; and

(D)

other advanced vehicle technologies;

(5)

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;

(6)

development of safe, durable, affordable, and efficient fuel cells, including 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

(7)

the ability of domestic automobile manufacturers to manufacture commercially available competitive hybrid vehicle technologies in the United States.

(f) Program goals

(1) VehiclesFor 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 hydrogen-powered vehicles that will have, when compared to light duty vehicles in model year 2005—

(i)

fuel economy that is substantially higher;

(ii)

substantially lower emissions of air pollutants; and

(iii)

equivalent or improved vehicle fuel system crash integrity and occupant protection.

(2) Hydrogen energy and energy infrastructureFor 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, micro, critical needs facilities, and transportation applications; and

(E)

other technologies consistent with the Department’s plan.

(3) Fuel cellsThe 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.

(g) Funding

(1) In general

The Secretary shall carry out the programs under this section using a competitive, merit-based review process and consistent with the generally applicable Federal laws and regulations governing awards of financial assistance, contracts, or other agreements.

(2) Research centers

Activities under this section may be carried out by funding nationally recognized university-based or Federal laboratory research centers.

(h) Hydrogen supplyThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out projects and activities relating to hydrogen production, storage, distribution and dispensing, transport, education and coordination, and technology transfer under this section—

(1)

$160,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;

(2)

$200,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;

(3)

$220,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(4)

$230,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(5)

$250,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and

(6)

such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2020.

(i) Fuel cell technologiesThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out projects and activities relating to fuel cell technologies under this section—

(1)

$150,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;

(2)

$160,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;

(3)

$170,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(4)

$180,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(5)

$200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and

(6)

such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2020.