Bill Overview
Title: Advancing Hydrogen Power Research and Development Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to report on barriers to the development, deployment, and use of hydrogen as a fuel source for residential, commercial, industrial, and electric power uses. Additionally, FERC must implement a pilot program for hydrogen blending projects in accordance with the Natural Gas Act.
Sponsors: Rep. Lesko, Debbie [R-AZ-8]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals worldwide involved or reliant on residential, commercial, industrial energy sectors
Estimated Size: 331000000
- Hydrogen fuel development impacts several sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, and electric power.
- Worldwide, millions of people rely on these sectors for employment and energy.
- The push for alternative energy sources affects those in the traditional fossil fuel industry.
- Hydrogen is seen as a clean fuel alternative, potentially reducing pollution.
- Countries leading in innovation, including hydrogen energy, affect global economies and employment.
Reasoning
- Hydrogen fuel research impacts various sectors like transportation and manufacturing due to potential shifts in energy sources.
- The policy may primarily affect energy and related industries, which include automotive, manufacturing, and utility sectors.
- Given current technological and industry constraints, changes might not be immediate, and the impact could be gradual over a couple of decades.
- It's crucial to consider people both benefiting from new opportunities and those at risk from transitioning away from traditional energy sources.
- This population sample covers diverse demographics, from young expecting employees to retirees in traditional industries.
Simulated Interviews
Energy Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for clean energy but worry about job stability.
- Transitioning sectors require support for workers during changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited about the potential market growth.
- The policy could accelerate innovation and deployment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Automotive Industry Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this will create new job opportunities in hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- There might be transitional challenges, but long-term benefits are promising.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive step towards reducing emissions.
- We need more policies like this to accelerate clean energy adoption.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
University Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm looking forward to career opportunities in clean energy.
- The policy aligns with my academic and career goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Steelworker (Pittsburgh, PA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about how this will change demand for our products and jobs.
- Adaptation might be slow, and support is needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
School Teacher (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hydrogen could be a real-world example for students.
- It might inspire students to pursue careers in science.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Agriculturalist (Oklahoma City, OK)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If hydrogen fuel reduces costs, it will benefit agriculture.
- Unsure how soon the benefits will be felt in rural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Coal Miner (New York, NY)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Feelings of being left behind as new technologies take over.
- Policies must consider people like us who are affected negatively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Renewable Energy Consultant (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative will likely boost the industry I'm involved in.
- Expect increased interest in hydrogen solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $450000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $550000000)
Year 3: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $500000000)
Year 5: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $450000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The balance between short-term costs and long-term economic and environmental benefits.
- Potential regulatory and technical challenges in implementing hydrogen blending projects.
- The need for public-private partnerships to optimize research outcomes.