Innovative and Safe Hydrogen Transportation Act

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall complete a study assessing the potential and existing use of pipelines constructed with composite materials to safely transport hydrogen and hydrogen blended with natural gas.

In completing the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—

(1) any commercially available composite pipeline materials;

(2) any completed or ongoing tests and data available to the Secretary or other Federal agencies; and

(3) any recommended standards, including consensus standards, and Federal agency authorizations relating to use of the composite pipeline materials.

To ensure adequate public participation in completing the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1) hold a pre-completion public meeting with interested stakeholders, including affected industries, interest groups, and other individuals with relevant expertise;

(2) release a draft version of the study for public comment for a period of not less than 60 days; and

(3) address any substantive comments submitted by the public during the public comment period under paragraph (2) in preparing the final study.

Not later than 60 days after the closing of the public comment period under subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall hold a post-completion public meeting to present the findings of the study under subsection (a) and any responses to public comments received under subsection (c)(2).

Not later than 18 months after the public meeting described in subsection (d), the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking that includes a notice of proposed rulemaking to allow for the use of composite materials for pipeline transportation of hydrogen and hydrogen blended with natural gas.