[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2447]]
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2003 REGARDING TITLE 
                             VIII--HYDROGEN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. W.J. (BILLY) TAUZIN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chairman of Conference Committee on 
H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003, as well as Chairman of House 
Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over national 
energy policy as well as the production, storage, supply, marketing, 
pricing and regulation of energy resources, including unconventional 
energy resources, I am taking this opportunity to elaborate on and 
clarify both the legislative provisions and Statement of Managers that 
is contained in the conference report on H.R. 6 regarding Title VIII, 
Hydrogen.
  On April 1, 2003 and April 2, 2003, the Energy and Commerce Committee 
met in mark up session to consider a committee print, the Energy Policy 
Act of 2003. On April 2, 2003, the Energy and Commerce Committee voted 
to approve the committee print and report this legislation to the full 
House of Representatives. This committee print contained, among other 
provisions, Title V, Vehicle and Fuels, Subtitle B, FreedomCar and 
Hydrogen Fuel Program.
  H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003, was subsequently introduced in 
the House of Representatives on April 7, 2003. H.R. 6 contained the 
legislative work product of the Committee on Energy and Commerce as 
well as other committees. Hydrogen provisions in H.R. 6 concerning the 
``FreedomCar'' and hydrogen fuel and infrastructure program were 
consolidated in Division F--Hydrogen. The conference report on H.R. 6 
contains Title VIII, Hydrogen, which is based on Division F of H.R. 6, 
incorporating several elements of S. 14.
  The program established under Title VIII of the committee print 
provides for the production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources, 
including conventional and renewable energy sources. It also provides 
for the use of hydrogen in electric power generation and the safe 
delivery of hydrogen and hydrogen-carrier fuels. The program 
additionally encompasses advanced vehicle technologies, including 
automobile materials, energy storage, propulsion and hybrid systems.
  Although Title VIII contains necessary appropriations to the 
Secretary of Energy to fund the activities authorized by the Title, 
central to the operation of this federal program is the public/private 
partnership required under Section 803(a). This partnership is 
reflected within the section 803(b)(1)(A) programmatic goal, 
specifically the directive to ``enable a commitment by automakers no 
later than year 2015 to offer for sale'' hydrogen fuel vehicles. 
Section 803(b)(2) contains a corresponding programmatic goal of 
obtaining a private sector commitment, not later than 2015, for 
necessary hydrogen infrastructure. Under sections 803(b)(1)(A) and 
803(b)(2), both the vehicle and infrastructure commitments are 
followed, by five years, with availability, in the mass consumer 
market, of vehicles and safe and convenient refueling capacity.
  Title VIII, therefore, incorporates the public/private partnership 
regarding the production of hydrogen fuels, associated hydrogen 
vehicles and necessary support infrastructure at a basic structural 
level. Section 803(a)(7), in particular, indicates that the development 
of necessary codes and standards needed to implement the program take 
place ``after consultation with the private sector.'' This statutory 
directive applies to the production, distribution, storage and use of 
hydrogen, hydrogen-carrier fuels, and related products. Statutory 
authority conveyed to the Secretary of Energy for the promulgation of 
``necessary codes and standards'' is to be interpreted by the 
Department of Energy in conformance with the ordinary and regular 
practice concerning these legislative terms.
  The concept of public/private partnership in implementation of the 
program established through Title VIII is additionally reflected in 
section 803(d) requiring the conduct of activities to deploy hydrogen 
energy and energy infrastructure, fuel cells and advanced vehicle 
technologies. It should be noted that this deployment activity is 
separate and apart from section 803(c) which requires the Secretary of 
energy to fund a limited number of demonstration projects. This 
separation of demonstration and deployment activities is intentional 
and reflects the fact that such required elements of the hydrogen 
program are distinct entities.

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