784.5.
(a) The Legislature requests that the California Council on Science and Technology Technology, in consultation with the commission, the State Air Resources Board, and the Energy Commission, undertake and, within 12 months of entering into the contract, complete a study analyzing the potential impacts of increased hydrogen concentration in the natural gas supply on the California natural gas system. The study shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:(1) A risk assessment, including assessing the
safety concerns associated with blending hydrogen into the throughput of the existing natural gas pipeline system at percentages up to 20 percent.
(2) A determination of the maximum hydrogen percentage blended into the throughput of the natural gas pipeline system at which no or minor modifications would be needed for natural gas infrastructure and end-use systems, and an assessment of the types of modifications that may be required for higher percentages of hydrogen.
(3) An assessment of the impacts, including degradation, on durability of the existing natural gas pipeline system associated with exposure to hydrogen over long periods, particularly with hydrogen in high concentrations and at high pressures.
(4) An
assessment of any impacts of hydrogen on natural gas pipeline leakage rates.
(5) An assessment of any impact on valves, fittings, materials, and welds due to hydrogen embrittlement, including, but not limited to, at low concentrations and low pressures.
(6) An assessment of any impact of hydrogen on the permeability of storage rock and of the compatibility of the full range of hydrogen blend percentages on storage infrastructure.
(7) An assessment of any impact on pipelines under cathodic protection due to potential for hydrogen dissociation.
(8) A survey and analysis of international hydrogen blending and injection studies, activities, and regulations.
(9) An assessment of cost estimates for various methods of hydrogen production and transportation.
(b) If the California Council on Science and Technology agrees to undertake and complete the study pursuant to subdivision (a), within six months after completion of the study, the commission shall, by rule or order, adopt standards for hydrogen to be injected into a common carrier pipeline, taking into consideration the California Council on Science and Technology study, while ensuring pipeline and pipeline facility integrity and safety.
the California Council on Science and Technology shall, upon completion of the study, transmit it to the commission, the State Air Resources Board, and the Energy Commission for their consideration.
(c) For purposes of this section, sources of hydrogen are limited to the following:
(1) Zero-carbon hydrogen. For this purpose, “zero-carbon hydrogen” means hydrogen that is produced without increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order B-55-18 to Achieve Carbon Neutrality (September 10, 2018).
(2) Hydrogen that is produced from renewable resources.
(3) Hydrogen that is produced from other methods
or other feedstocks as determined by the commission, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board.
(d) Each gas corporation operating common carrier pipelines in California shall proportionately contribute to the expenses to undertake the study, with the cost recoverable in rates.