[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5631-H5635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NEXT GENERATION PIPELINES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT

  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 7073) to improve public-private partnerships and increase Federal 
research, development, and demonstration related to the evolution of 
next generation pipeline systems, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7073

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Next Generation Pipelines 
     Research and Development Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
       (A) an institution of higher education (as such term is 
     defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), including historically Black colleges 
     and universities (within the meaning of the term ``part B 
     institution'' in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)), Tribal colleges and universities (as 
     such term is defined in section 316 of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c)), and minority serving 
     institutions (including the entities described in any of 
     paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)));
       (B) a nonprofit research organization;
       (C) a National Laboratory (as such term is defined in 
     section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     15801));
       (D) a private commercial entity;
       (E) a partnership or consortium of two or more entities 
     described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) that leverages 
     existing Department efforts; or
       (F) any other entity the Secretary determines appropriate.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.
       (4) Technical standards.--The term ``technical standard'' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 12(d)(5) of the 
     National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 
     U.S.C. 272 note).

     SEC. 3. COORDINATION.

       In carrying out this Act--
       (1) the Secretary shall avoid unnecessary duplication and 
     achieve shared mission goals by coordinating with the 
     Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
     Administration of the Department of Transportation and across 
     all relevant program offices at the Department of Energy, 
     including--
       (A) the Office of Science;
       (B) the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management;
       (C) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy;
       (D) the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and 
     Emergency Response;
       (E) the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy;
       (F) the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations; and
       (G) any other cross-cutting program office determined 
     appropriate;
       (2) the Secretary of Transportation shall ensure 
     participation of and coordination with the Secretary of 
     Energy of--
       (A) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
     Administration of the Department of Transportation; and
       (B) any other program office of the Department of 
     Transportation determined appropriate; and
       (3) the Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Secretary 
     of the Interior, and the heads of other relevant Federal 
     agencies, as appropriate.

     SEC. 4. ADVANCED PIPELINE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES 
                   DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle E of title III of division D of 
     the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-
     58) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 40344. ADVANCED PIPELINE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES 
                   DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE.

       ``(a) Establishment of Initiative.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a demonstration initiative (in this section 
     referred to as the `Initiative') under which the Secretary, 
     through a competitive merit review process, shall award 
     financial assistance to eligible entities to carry out 
     demonstration projects on low- to mid-technology readiness 
     level subjects to achieve deployment of technologies that--
       ``(1) are applicable to pipelines and associated 
     infrastructure, including liquefied natural gas facilities 
     and underground and above ground gas and liquid fuel storage 
     facilities; and
       ``(2) involve the development of next generation pipeline 
     systems, components, and related technologies.
       ``(b) Demonstration Project Focus Areas.--In carrying out 
     the Initiative, the Secretary shall select demonstration

[[Page H5632]]

     projects that best advance research undertaken by the 
     Department and the Department of Transportation and 
     incorporate a range of technology focus areas, which may 
     include the following:
       ``(1) Advanced leak detection and mitigation tools and 
     technologies.
       ``(2) Novel materials, including alloy and nonmetallic 
     materials, to improve integrity for new and existing 
     pipelines, such as pipeline coatings, sleeves, and liners, 
     and corrosion resistant materials, including maximum and 
     minimum flow rates and immunity to electrical discharge 
     processes.
       ``(3) Technologies and methods for retrofitting existing 
     pipelines, resolving material compatibility issues, and 
     minimizing leakage, such as field protective coatings and 
     material treatment.
       ``(4) Advanced manufacturing approaches for producing, 
     fitting, and coupling pipelines, including the fabrication of 
     higher performance pipeline materials and new extrusion 
     technologies or methods to join ultra-high strength and 
     corrosion resistant materials at a scale for distribution.
       ``(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, which may include the following:
       ``(A) Wireless sensors, such as surface acoustic wave 
     sensors.
       ``(B) Advanced and cost-effective electrochemical sensors.
       ``(C) Distributed fiber optic sensors.
       ``(D) Autonomous sensor systems, including uncrewed 
     aircraft.
       ``(E) Optical methods.
       ``(F) Multi-use platforms for diverse sources.
       ``(G) Hybrid data-analysis platforms.
       ``(6) Advanced computational, data analytics, and machine 
     learning models to achieve the following:
       ``(A) Multiscale modeling, characterization, and 
     optimization of transmission and distribution systems and 
     components to aid in planning for optimized and resilient 
     infrastructure.
       ``(B) Correlation between sensor and emissions data at all 
     operational points and across a variety of scales to assure 
     system integrity spanning large areas.
       ``(C) Accurate material lifecycle predictions and 
     simulation platforms to forecast pipeline health.
       ``(D) Secure real time autonomous monitoring and repair 
     capabilities.
       ``(E) Mapping and monitoring of structural health 
     parameters, such as corrosion.
       ``(7) Self-healing and self-repair functionalities, 
     including by chemical treatment methods.
       ``(8) Autonomous robotic and patch technologies for 
     inspection and repair.
       ``(9) Dynamic compressor technologies, including retrofit 
     kits for existing compressor systems.
       ``(10) Strategies and technologies for integrated 
     cybersecurity considerations and countering cyberattacks.
       ``(11) 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, such as equipment failure.
       ``(12) 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.
       ``(13) Tools and technologies applicable to improving the 
     safety, operation, and efficiency of liquefied natural gas 
     facilities and gas and liquid fuel storage facilities.
       ``(c) Selection Requirements.--In selecting eligible 
     entities for demonstration projects under the Initiative, the 
     Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, take the 
     following actions:
       ``(1) Encourage regional diversity among eligible entities, 
     including participation by such entities located in rural 
     States.
       ``(2) Prioritize technological diversity among eligible 
     entities.
       ``(3) Prioritize a diverse mix of energy, substances, fuel 
     sources, and byproducts, including the following:
       ``(A) Gas and liquid hydrocarbons, including natural gas, 
     renewable natural gas, methane, ethane, and liquefied natural 
     gas.
       ``(B) Carbon dioxide.
       ``(C) Hydrogen.
       ``(D) Biofuels.
       ``(E) Water.
       ``(F) Substances in the hydrogen supply chain, including 
     ammonia and liquid organic hydrogen carriers.
       ``(G) Blends of gases or liquids, including hydrogen 
     blends.
       ``(H) Any other source the Secretary determines 
     appropriate.
       ``(4) Prioritize projects that leverage and are 
     complementary to existing energy infrastructure.
       ``(5) Prioritize projects that leverage matching funds from 
     non-Federal sources.
       ``(6) Ensure that selected projects are coordinated with or 
     expand on the existing technology demonstration programs of 
     the Department.
       ``(7) Evaluate projects and topics for technical 
     performance and economic feasibility as part of lifecycle 
     assessments for return on investment impact.
       ``(8) Prioritize projects that can quantifiably reduce the 
     environmental impacts of pipelines and associated 
     infrastructure on air, water, or soil quality in all regions 
     of the United States, especially in underserved and rural 
     communities.
       ``(d) Location.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
     demonstration projects under the Initiative shall be located 
     on sites with existing research infrastructure or with the 
     ability to coordinate with existing Department user 
     facilities and research centers.
       ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Out of funds 
     authorized to be appropriated for--
       ``(1) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
     and
       ``(2) the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management,
     pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (6), respectively, of section 
     10771 of subtitle O of title VI of the Research and 
     Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as 
     division B of Public Law 117-167), there is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out this 
     section $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, and $50,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
       ``(f) Sunset.--This section shall terminate five years 
     after the date of the enactment of this section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is amended 
     by inserting after the item relating to section 40343 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 40344. Advanced pipeline materials and technologies 
              demonstration initiative.''.

     SEC. 5. JOINT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Transportation and the Director of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, and in coordination 
     with the demonstration initiative established pursuant to 
     section 40344 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
     (Public Law 117-58), as added by section 4, shall establish 
     within the Department a joint research and development 
     program (referred to in this Act as the ``Joint Program'') to 
     carry out research projects that--
       (1) develop cost-effective advanced materials and 
     technologies for pipeline transportation systems at different 
     scales;
       (2) enable the commercialization of innovative materials 
     and technologies for pipeline transportation systems;
       (3) support the development of technical standards of 
     innovative materials and technologies for pipeline 
     transportation systems; and
       (4) 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.
       (b) Memorandum of Understanding.--Not later than one year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall enter into or update an existing memorandum of 
     understanding with the Secretary of Transportation and the 
     Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology to administer the Joint Program. Such memorandum 
     shall require each participating agency to--
       (1) identify unique research capabilities to contribute 
     while avoiding duplication of existing efforts; and
       (2) include cost sharing and cost reimbursement abilities 
     among participating agencies, including any reviews, 
     approvals, trainings, or resource outlays that will be 
     required.
       (c) Infrastructure.--In carrying out the Joint Program, the 
     Secretary, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Director 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall--
       (1) use existing research infrastructure at--
       (A) Department of Energy facilities, including National 
     Laboratories;
       (B) Department of Transportation initiatives, including any 
     such initiatives carried out through the Pipeline and 
     Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; and
       (C) the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and
       (2) develop new infrastructure for potential projects, if 
     appropriate.
       (d) Goals and Metrics.--The Secretary, the Secretary of 
     Transportation, and the Director of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology shall develop goals and metrics for 
     each agency in meeting technological progress under the Joint 
     Program, consistent with existing United States energy 
     safety, resilience, and security policies.
       (e) Selection of Projects.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary, the Secretary of Transportation, 
     and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology shall ensure the following with respect to the 
     Joint Program:
       (1) Projects are carried out under conditions that 
     represent a variety of geographies, physical conditions, and 
     market constraints.
       (2) Projects represent an appropriate balance of the 
     following:
       (A) Larger, higher-cost projects.
       (B) Smaller, lower-cost projects.
       (3) To the maximum extent practicable, projects are 
     transferred between participating agencies based on the stage 
     of research and capabilities of each agency.
       (f) Priority.--In carrying out the Joint Program, the 
     Secretary, the Director of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology, and the Secretary of Transportation 
     shall, through consultation with the demonstration initiative 
     established pursuant to

[[Page H5633]]

     section 40344 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
     (Public Law 117-58), as added by section 4, to identify and 
     advance areas of research most needed for demonstration 
     projects under such demonstration initiative, give priority 
     to research and demonstration projects that--
       (1) are likely to be of value to such demonstration 
     initiative; and
       (2) are done in coordination with, or advance knowledge 
     critical to, the National Pipeline Modernization Center 
     established pursuant to section 6.
       (g) Relation to Existing Law.--Nothing in this section may 
     be construed to change existing agency roles, 
     responsibilities, or areas of expertise as described in 
     section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 
     (Public Law 107-355; 49 U.S.C. 60101 note)
       (h) Sunset.--This section shall terminate five years after 
     the date of the enactment of this section.

     SEC. 6. NATIONAL PIPELINE MODERNIZATION CENTER.

       (a) In General.--In carrying out the demonstration 
     initiative established pursuant to section 40344 of the 
     Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), 
     as added by section 4, and the Joint Program and subject to 
     the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall 
     establish a National Pipeline Modernization Center (referred 
     to in this Act as the ``Center''), which shall 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.
       (b) Selection.--The Secretary shall administer the Center 
     in conjunction with an eligible entity pursuant to an 
     agreement between the Department and such entity. Such entity 
     shall be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
       (c) Existing Centers.--In administering the Center, the 
     Secretary shall prioritize higher education energy-related 
     research centers in existence as of the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
       (d) Period of Performance.--An agreement under subsection 
     (b) shall be for a period of not more than five years, 
     subject to the availability of appropriations.
       (e) Location.--The Center shall be located in proximity to 
     critical transportation infrastructure connecting to an 
     existing national pipeline transportation system and other 
     Department monitoring assets, as determined by the Secretary.
       (f) Coordination With Training and Qualifications Center.--
     In carrying out the functions described in subsection (a), 
     the Center shall coordinate and collaborate with training 
     centers of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
     Administration of the Department of Transportation to 
     facilitate knowledge sharing among, and enhanced training 
     opportunities for, Federal and State pipeline safety 
     inspectors and investigators.
       (g) Duplication.--The Secretary shall ensure the 
     coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the 
     activities under this section with the National Center of 
     Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety established 
     pursuant to section 111 of the Protecting our Infrastructure 
     of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 (49 U.S.C. 
     60103 note; Public Law 116-260, div. R, title I).

     SEC. 7. NIST PIPELINE METROLOGY.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Director of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology shall carry out a program of 
     measurement research, development, demonstration, and 
     standardization to--
       (1) ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities; and
       (2) support pipeline safety, security, efficiency, 
     sustainability, and resilience.
       (b) Testing.--The Director of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology, in collaboration with the Secretary 
     of the Department of Transportation and in consultation with 
     the private sector and international standards organizations, 
     shall support testing, evaluation, and research 
     infrastructure to support the activities described in 
     subsection (a).
       (c) Allocation of Appropriations.--From amounts 
     appropriated or otherwise made available for the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology shall allocate 
     up to $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 
     to carry out this section.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated 
     for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and 
     the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management pursuant to 
     paragraphs (1) and (6), respectively, of section 10771 of 
     subtitle O of title VI of the Research and Development, 
     Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of 
     Public Law 117-167), there is authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary to carry out--
       (1) section 5, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, and 
     $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029; and
       (2) section 6, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, and 
     $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
       (b) Offset.--Section 10771 of subtitle O of title VI of the 
     Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act 
     (enacted as division B of Public Law 117-167) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``2026'' and inserting ``2029''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``1,200,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$1,100,000,000''; and
       (2) in subsection (6)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``2026'' and inserting ``2029'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``600,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$445,000,000'';
       (C) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) by striking ``200,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$100,000,000''; and
       (ii) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
       (D) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) by striking ``1,000,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$900,000,000''; and
       (ii) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and
       (E) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) $455,000,000 to carry out pipeline research, 
     development, demonstration, and commercial application 
     activities.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material in the Record on the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oklahoma?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7073, the Next Generation 
Pipelines Research and Development Act, which I am proud to cosponsor.
  The United States pipeline network consists of nearly 2.8 million 
miles of pipeline, enough to wrap around the world at the equator more 
than 112 times.
  Yet, 50 percent of the Nation's pipeline system is more than 60 years 
old, and the Department of Energy estimates that as many as 96,000 
miles of new pipeline will be needed to handle carbon dioxide capture 
from power plants and directly from the air.
  As the Representative of Cushing, Oklahoma, the pipeline crossroads 
of the world, I see firsthand the importance of pipeline 
infrastructure, not just for our energy security but for economic 
growth in America. This is infrastructure that must be maintained now 
and well into the future.
  A new and modern emphasis on science collaboration, as well as 
increased industry involvement and public-private demonstration 
projects, will be required to meet our future energy demands and ensure 
the continued safety and efficient use of our pipelines.
  Not only do pipelines carry the oil and natural gas that currently 
fuel our economy, but they are also critical in transporting the next 
generation of fuels like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane.
  H.R. 7073 enables that by invigorating Federal research focused on 
improving pipeline safety and technology.
  The bill establishes a demonstration initiative to advance research 
undertaken by DOE and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration. It will also help lab-scale, basic research overcome 
the ``valley of death'' through commercial development.
  It also establishes a national pipeline modernization center as a 
central location for industry and stakeholders to collaborate with 
Federal agencies on pipeline research and development and enable new 
cost-effective products and procedures.
  Simply put, 7073 is necessary for the continued growth of the 
American energy industry. It will strengthen pipeline infrastructure 
networks that will be essential to achieving our shared energy, 
economic, security, and environmental goals.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H5634]]

                                         House of Representatives,


               Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,

                               Washington, DC, September 19, 2024.
     Hon. Frank D. Lucas,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Lucas: I write to you concerning H.R. 7073, 
     the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act. 
     The bill was referred primarily to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology. Specifically, provisions of H.R. 7073 
     fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure.
       I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this 
     legislation before the House of Representatives in an 
     expeditious manner, and accordingly, the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo action on the 
     bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual 
     understanding that doing so will not prejudice the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matter contained within the bill or 
     similar legislation that falls under the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure's Rule X jurisdiction. 
     Further, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I 
     appreciate your agreement to support my request to have the 
     Committee represented on the conference committee.
       Finally, I would ask that a copy of this letter and your 
     response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest in the 
     bill be included in the Committee Report and Congressional 
     Record during consideration of H.R. 7073 on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Sam Graves,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                  Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,

                               Washington, DC, September 19, 2024.
     Hon. Sam Graves,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Graves: I am writing concerning H.R. 7073, 
     the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act, 
     which was introduced on January 22, 2024, and solely referred 
     to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
       I appreciate you agreeing to withdraw your request for a 
     sequential referral of H.R. 7073, so that the bill may be 
     considered expeditiously. I acknowledge that forgoing your 
     referral claim now does not waive the right to jurisdictional 
     claims in the future on subject matter contained in this bill 
     or similar legislation. Further, I will appropriately consult 
     and involve the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure as the bill moves forward on issues that fall 
     within your Rule X jurisdiction. In addition. should a 
     conference on the bill be necessary, I would support your 
     request to have the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure represented on the conference committee.
       Finally, I will include of copy of our letter exchange in 
     the Committee Report and the Congressional Record when the 
     bill is considered on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Frank D. Lucas,
                                                         Chairman.

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Next Generation Pipelines 
Research and Development Act.
  As has been mentioned, a majority of the Nation's pipeline system is 
more than 60 years old. With this magnitude of aging pipelines 
operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is inevitable that without 
new inspection and leak detection technologies, catastrophic defects 
and anomalies will occur more frequently.
  Too often we are confronted with news of pipeline failures that cause 
mass casualties, environmental disasters, damage property, and service 
interruptions for thousands. There is much that industry can do to 
secure their assets while contributing to the development of next 
generation pipelines.
  H.R. 7073 seeks to prevent future infrastructure failure and improve 
pipeline safety and technology through innovation. This bill will 
improve the work of the DOE and the Department of Transportation's 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration by establishing 
a demonstration initiative that will help lab-scale, basic research 
overcome the ``valley of death'' and achieve commercial deployment. 
DOE, DOT, and NIST will also be empowered to work together in a joint 
pipeline research program.
  Finally, it directs DOE to establish a national pipeline 
modernization center, a place for industry and Federal agencies to 
collaborate on pipeline research and development.

                              {time}  1945

  What we have in front of us is much-needed harm reduction 
legislation. I extend my congratulations to Mr. Weber and Dr. Caraveo 
and my appreciation for their hard work on this legislation. It is a 
good bill. I support it, and I encourage others, as well, to support 
it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) to speak on his bill.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 
7073, the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act.
  I introduced this important piece of legislation earlier this year to 
direct the Department of Energy toward a new and more modern approach 
to pipeline research and development.
  The chairman talked about over 2 million something miles of pipelines 
in the United States. Well, I am from the great State of Texas, which 
has over half a million miles of gas and liquid pipelines, so that is 
about a fourth of the whole pipelines in the United States if my high 
school math is holding up. This creates $374 billion, with a b, in 
total economic output for my State.
  That is because pipelines deliver oil and gas safely, reliably, and 
efficiently. However, as the chairman mentioned, half of all U.S. 
pipelines are over 60 years old, so we can expect defects and anomalies 
to occur more often. It is just a fact of the wear and tear they are 
under. Imagine driving a car that was over 60 years old, and yet it had 
never been tended to, which is unbelievable.
  Now, that is not to say that pipelines are dangerous, Mr. Speaker. 
Actually, the truth is quite the opposite, as pipelines safely deliver 
oil and gas without incident--check these numbers out--24/7, 99.999 
percent of the time. That is a pretty good safety record, Mr. Speaker.
  As new energy sources emerge, like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and 
methane, we can expect pipelines to be the primary source of 
transportation to American energy independence into the future.
  H.R. 7073 encourages new public-private projects in maintenance of 
our current pipeline infrastructure, and in supporting next-generation 
systems. Through the technological innovation directed by this 
legislation, the American energy sector will actually see a 
strengthened focus on material behavior, leak detection capabilities, 
and multifuel transportation.
  The Next Generation Pipeline R&D Act also brings together industry 
stakeholders, academia, and Federal agencies to collaborate and 
coordinate on vital pipeline research needs. It ensures that the 
Department of Energy focuses on basic research that is actually too low 
on the technology readiness level for industry to conduct. At the same 
time, this bill enables industry to be involved and ready to run with 
the innovation that does come from that kind of research.
  Lastly, this bill codifies and updates a multiagency research program 
that includes the Department of Energy, the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, and the Department of Transportation. This 
language updates and builds upon the original memorandum of 
understanding that was put in place way back in 2004.
  H.R. 7073 is a good government bill with bipartisan support, as you 
have heard here tonight. It strengthens U.S. leadership in oil and 
natural gas research and actually provides a good return on investment 
for the American taxpayer. I thank Representatives Caraveo and 
Obernolte, as well as Chairman Lucas and our ranking member across the 
aisle for cosponsoring and being great partners on this bill. I urge 
all of my colleagues to support it.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate, indeed, to have Dr. 
Caraveo as a Member of our House with her keen intellect and pragmatic 
approach to solving America's problems.
  I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Colorado 
(Ms. Caraveo).
  Ms. CARAVEO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Lofgren for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, in Colorado we know how critical pipelines are, whether

[[Page H5635]]

they are for carrying different types of energy sources or even 
delivering water to communities from places that are miles away. In 
fact, according to the Office of Pipeline Safety, there are more than 
45,000 miles of pipeline in Colorado.
  As one of the leading energy producers in the country, my district is 
home to miles of oil and hazardous liquid lines and natural gas 
transmission lines. However, we are also no stranger to experiencing 
accidents like a leak or break. We need to be doing what we can to 
ensure this important piece of our energy infrastructure remains safe 
and effective for years to come.
  That is why I am proud to lead the Next Generation Pipeline Research 
and Development Act with Representative Weber, which would invest in 
R&D for our aging pipeline infrastructure while also leveraging public-
private partnerships to do so. This bipartisan effort will be a win for 
keeping our environment clean while maintaining one of the primary 
conduits for bringing energy to Coloradans.
  One of the biggest issues in my district right now is that our 
pipelines are getting older, particularly those used to transport 
natural gas, and that makes them more prone to leak. The most prevalent 
leak we see is methane, which is a more potent greenhouse gas than 
carbon dioxide. Just one leak can be damaging to the environment, so we 
need to be making these investments now to secure our pipeline 
infrastructure. This will also be important as we begin to use 
pipelines not just for traditional energy sources like natural gas, but 
for newer sources like hydrogen. The future of our energy grid will 
rely on a mix of different fuels, and securing our pipeline 
infrastructure is vital to that future.
  Before I close, I will highlight how this bill will help those of us 
living in the West. As drought continues to affect places like 
Colorado, water sources are becoming more important to access, 
especially to keep up with growth. There are plenty of cities in 
Colorado, including in my district, that rely on pipelines to bring 
water to consumers, and there is no sign of this stopping. We need to 
ensure these pipelines are maintained with up-to-date technology, and 
this bill will make certain of that.

  I again thank Representative Weber for working with me on this bill 
and for the leadership both Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Lofgren 
have shown on the Science Committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues 
to support this effort.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am 
prepared to close once the gentlewoman from California closes.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I urge that we support and enact this good 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
thank my Science Committee colleagues, Mr. Weber and Ms. Caraveo, for 
leading this bipartisan effort. I urge all my colleagues to support 
this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7073, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________