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Senate approves measure to let Intermountain Power Project seek federal hydrogen grants
Summary
Senate Bill 154 passed to enable Intermountain Power Agency to pursue federal development and storage of hydrogen at Intermountain Power Project, a move sponsors say could preserve local jobs and leverage salt-cavern storage; sponsor said no state fiscal note is expected.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 24 moved forward with Senate Bill 154, a bill sponsors described as an economic stimulus step for several Central Utah communities tied to the Intermountain Power Project (IPP).
Senator Hinkins, sponsor of SB 154, said IPP employs over 375 skilled workers and has paid about $600 million in taxes. The bill authorizes or clarifies IPP and associated municipal entities to pursue federal Department of Energy grants and to develop hydrogen production and storage infrastructure, with an initial blend of hydrogen and natural gas and potential long-term transition options.
"This will be a hub for hydrogen production," Hinkins said, noting the project's proximity to major gas pipelines and salt cavern storage that could be used for hydrogen. He told colleagues the measure is designed to attract federal funds and private investment and to avoid direct state costs: "They're basically... a private corporation, so there's no cost to the state," Hinkins said in response to fiscal-note questions.
Senator Hilliard pressed the sponsor on the absence of a fiscal note and the potential for revenue generation. Hinkins answered the project could create jobs and potential revenue if successful but stressed that the bill itself does not obligate state funding and is intended to enable federal grant applications.
The Senate read the bill for a third time and the measure passed (23–0 with 6 absent). It will be transmitted to the House.
