ST. GEORGE — Is hydrogen power in Utah’s future? Some lawmakers say yes, leading the Utah Legislature to pass a bill that will create a council of industry experts to direct the state’s exploration of this new technology.
SB 62, as it was named for the 2023 legislative session, will establish a hydrogen advisory council consisting of 7-9 members and helmed by the Utah Office of Energy Development to advise on hydrogen-related issues.
Council members have not yet been chosen but will be appointed by the office’s director with an eye toward experts with a wide spectrum of experiences and knowledge, St. George News reported.
Individuals chosen will have expertise in related fields, including in hydrogen energy, hydrogen project facilities, fossil fuel-based hydrogen feedstock and renewable and fossil-based power generation.
Member duties will include encouraging cooperation with other states that have implemented hydrogen programs, recommending realistic goals for hydrogen development and facilitating public events to raise awareness of hydrogen and hydrogen-related fuels.
During the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee on Jan. 19, private Citizen Chelcie Hope said she was concerned about the amount of water that would be used in hydrogen production, particularly as Utahns are asked to reduce consumption.
“We’re being forced to conserve,” she said. “And we have these conservation efforts really being forced on us and we’re really feeling it.”
Current methods of power generation and energy production consume approximately 33% more water than would be required to meet hydrogen’s estimated future demand, according to a 2021 article published by the American Chemical Society Publications.
“It is apparent that using hydrogen as a method to reach a renewable energy society will lead to drastic water savings, not expenditures,” the article reads.
On Feb. 15, the bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Steven J. Lund, told the floor that the state has “spent years and years dancing around the whole idea of hydrogen and hydrogen energy.”
“Rather than continuing to kick this can down the road, I think it’s good if we pull together some experts that understand this and move this bill forward,” he said.
Utah Sen. David P. Hinkins, the bill’s Senate sponsor, told St. George News the advisory council will allow Utah to “catch up with some states and put us ahead of others.”
“We need to make sure that we’re compliant and that we’re being environmentally friendly when we produce this stuff,” he said.
Hinkins said Uthans shouldn’t expect any immediate changes with the bill’s passing. Its primary goal is to increase lawmakers’ overall knowledge of hydrogen production, allowing the state to protect consumers and ensure Utahns obtain value from the programs.
“I just want to make sure that we’re protecting our citizens,” he said.
Enactment of SB 62 will incur a one-time cost of $1,600 for fiscal year 2023, according to its attached fiscal note. Additionally, the bill will cost $6,200 annually, beginning in 2024, which will pay for staff and per diem “to support the newly created Hydrogen Advisory Council.”
SB 62 passed the Utah House of Representatives with 53 voting yes, 16 no and six no-votes on Feb. 15 and was sent to Gov. Spencer Cox to sign.
To view the bill in full, click here.
Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.
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