Review - HR 9349 Introduced – NextGen Pipelines

Earlier this month, Rep Weber (R,TX) introduced HR 9349, the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act. The bill would require the Department of Energy to establish a new grant program to “carry out demonstration projects on low- to mid-technology readiness level subjects to achieve deployment of technologies”. It would also require DOE and DOT to conduct a joint R&D program to carry out basic research projects. Finally, the bill would require DOE to establish the National Pipeline Modernization Center. The bill would authorize $50-million, $30-million and $15-million through 2027 for the three new programs.

Moving Forward

Weber, and all six of his cosponsors {Rep Lucas (R,OK), Rep LaTurner (R,KS), Rep Carey (R,OH), Rep Obernolte (R,CA), Rep Kim (R,CA), Rep Babin (R,TX)} are members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. Even without any Democratic sponsors, this bill could have been considered in Committee earlier in the session, but it is certainly too late for this bill to be considered in this session. It will probably be re-introduced next session.

Commentary

There is a cybersecurity focus outlined in §4 of the bill, but some additional language could have been added to some of the technical focus areas outlined in the Demonstration Initiative to make it clear that cybersecurity should be an integrated part of any technological solution. For example, §4(b)(5) could have been changed to read:

(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, including communications security processes to protect data flowing from sensors to pipeline control systems, which may include the following:”

 

For more details about the provisions of this bill see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-9349-introduced-nextgen-pipelines - subscription required.