Heinrich To Participate In Key Hearings: Implementation Of Great American Outdoors Act; Examination Of Clean Hydrogen Opportunities, Challenges

Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will participate in two key hearings to advance outdoor recreation, conservation, and clean energy priorities for New Mexico. 

On Wednesday, February 9, at 10 a.m. ET/ 8 a.m. MT, Senator Heinrich will join fellow members of the National Parks Subcommittee to review the implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act.

Last year, Senator Heinrich championed the Great American Outdoors Act into law, which fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and makes record investments in the outdoor recreation economy. The law includes a measure championed by Senator Heinrich to extend funding to address maintenance backlogs at all four public lands agencies and the Bureau of Indian Education.

WATCH a livestream and find a list of witnesses and testimonies here. 

On Thursday, February 10, at 10 a.m. ET/ 8 a.m. MT, Senator Heinrich will participate in a full Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to examine the opportunities and challenges in using clean hydrogen.

Senator Heinrich joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce the Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative, a package of three bills to support the adoption of clean hydrogen in energy intensive sectors.

Under the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Energy will distribute $8 billion to support the development of clean hydrogen hubs across the country. The Infrastructure Law also directs $1 billion to the Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program, which is intended to support the demonstration, commercialization, and deployment of electrolyzer systems, in order to decrease the cost of clean hydrogen production from electrolyzers. The Infrastructure Law also directs $700 million towards upgrading hydrogen facilities with the goal of improving dam safety, increasing efficiency, reducing environmental impacts, and maintaining generators that produce emission-free electricity.

WATCH a livestream and find a list of witnesses and testimonies here. 

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