RRC Begins Planning and Oversight with Newly Established Texas Hydrogen Production Policy Council

AUSTIN- Hydrogen will soon become a vital component in the expansion of the energy industry in Texas, providing greater energy production and further boost the economy with job creation. After House Bill 2847 was passed by the 88th Legislature, The Texas Hydrogen Production Policy Council, (TxH2 Council) was established within the Railroad Commission and clarifies the agency’s regulatory jurisdiction over hydrogen pipelines and underground storage facilities.

The Council is tasked with making recommendations to the Legislature on updates necessary for the oversight and regulation of production, pipeline transportation, and storage of hydrogen. Duties of the Council will include developing a state plan for hydrogen production oversight by the RRC, analyzing the development of hydrogen industries around the state, and monitoring regional efforts for the application and development of a clean hydrogen hub authorized under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Pursuant to the bill, the chair of the Council is Chairman Craddick of the Commission, and RRC appointed 11 additional members to the Council. The RRC opened up applications for Council members in September and had a large number of submissions before selecting a diverse group of experts from academia, NGOs, research organizations, service companies, downstream customers, producers, transportation and storage companies, all are represented by this Council. 

The TxH2 Council had its first meeting, an organizational meeting, on December 14, and the following individuals have been appointed to the Council: Richard Fenza from Air Liquide, Preston Kurtz from Air Products & Chemicals, Nigel Jenvey from Baker Hughes, Keith Wall from CenterPoint Energy, Ian Lindsay from Chevron New Energies, Angie Murray from Enterprise Products, Scott Anderson from Environmental Defense Fund, Brian Weeks from GTI Energy, Jeffrey Pollack from Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Brian Korgel from the University of Texas and Kelsie Van Hoose from Williams Companies.

Historically, the RRC has been an energy regulator since 1917 when pipelines were declared to be common carriers and placed under the Commission's jurisdiction. Over a century later, the Commission continues to lead with regulatory expertise in the number one energy producing state in the U.S.

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