The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has indicated that it will work with natural gas utilities and pipelines to strengthen the industry’s infrastructure and enhance reliability through a $10 million program contained in a FY 2002 spending bill, the American Gas Association said last week. The group added that the bill is nearing final approval in Congress.

Overall, the AGA said approximately $245 million will be available for DOE natural gas research, development and demonstration efforts in the FY 2002 Interior appropriations bill (HR 2217). The bill’s final version was negotiated Oct. 12 by House and Senate members. This amount is 50% higher than the $157 million requested for the programs by the Bush administration, the AGA added. Fiscal 2002 runs from Oct. 1, 2001, through Sept. 30, 2002.

“Natural gas infrastructure development is AGA’s top research priority this year, because our industry is preparing to meet a potential 50% increase in demand for natural gas by 2020,” said Rick Shelby, AGA executive vice president for public affairs. “We are very pleased that congressional leaders decided to increase funding for this important program, which DOE initiated with our support last year.”

Some of the natural gas and power research and development programs under the bill include:

The proposed bill also includes the development of advanced storage technologies for high deliverability facilities and smart systems that will enhance pipeline inspections and repairs. “Federal resources invested in natural gas research and development programs will yield long-term gains — including a cleaner environment, more efficient use of energy and stronger national security as we displace oil imports through greater use of domestic natural gas,” Shelby added.

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