New Report Highlights Measures to Bolster Texas Hydrogen Industry

After nearly a year of extensive analysis, the Texas Hydrogen Production Policy Council (Council) has delivered a report to the Texas Legislature outlining actionable steps to bolster Texas’ leadership in the hydrogen industry.  

The 11-member Council, established by the Legislature and chaired by RRC Chairman Christi Craddick, was tasked with making recommendations to lawmakers on updates necessary for the oversight and regulation of production, pipeline transportation, and storage of hydrogen.

The hydrogen industry is already well-established in Texas, primarily serving the petrochemical and refining industries. For over 50 years, hydrogen has been produced in dozens of facilities throughout the state. Pure hydrogen pipelines, extending over 1,000 miles, have been operating safely in Texas, supporting the industry’s robust infrastructure.

Texas’ existing hydrogen infrastructure and comprehensive regulatory framework for safety and environmental compliance have contributed to the state’s current standing as a global leader in conventional hydrogen production.

While the report recommends that Texas leverage its existing regulatory structure to lead the charge on hydrogen policy, it also specifies areas where there is room for enhancement or a need for new frameworks. Examples include leak detection requirements specifically for hydrogen, and additional rules to address hydrogen infrastructure, such as pipeline and casing materials, separately from infrastructure used for other products.

The report also highlights the potential economic opportunities tied to hydrogen industry growth for Texas. Expanding hydrogen production could enhance manufacturing and electricity generation while supporting increased production of a low-cost, reliable hydrogen energy supply. This expansion would not only support job growth, but would also underpin infrastructure development and direct investment, leading to an increase in the state's Gross Domestic Product.

The Council is planned to continue until January 1, 2030, and the recommendations in the report are expected to be reviewed and modified as technologies, markets, and hydrogen regulations evolve.

A copy of the Council’s report can be found at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/4knabnt2/texas-hydrogen-production-policy-council-report-1224.pdf

The members of the Texas Hydrogen Production Policy Council are as follows:

RRC Chairman Christi Craddick; Richard Fenza (Air Liquide); Preston Kurtz (Air Products & Chemicals); Nigel Jenvey (Baker Hughes); Keith Wall (CenterPoint Energy); Ian Lindsay (Chevron New Energies); Angie Murray (Enterprise Products); Brian Weeks (GTI Energy); Jeffrey Pollack (Port of Corpus Christi Authority); Brian Korgel (University of Texas at Austin); Kelsie Van Hoose (Williams Companies).

# # #