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HR 5542 116th Congress House Energy Accounting and auditing Advanced technology and technological innovations Air quality Climate change and greenhouse gases Energy assistance for the poor and aged Energy efficiency and conservation Energy prices Energy research Energy storage, supplies, demand Environmental health Labor standards Oil and gas Pipelines Public utilities and utility rates Research administration and funding State and local government operations Wages and earnings

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for States to provide incentives to natural gas distribution companies for the improvement of natural gas distribution systems, and for…

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To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for States to provide incentives to natural gas distribution companies for the improvement of natural gas distribution systems, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 7, 2020 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 9, 2020
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Jan 9, 2020
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jan 8, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Jan 7, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 7, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program for states to improve public safety and environmental performance of the natural gas distribution system by offsetting rate increases to low-income households and providing incentives for natural gas distribution companies to accelerate, expand, or enhance improvements to the natural gas distribution system.

Grants must be used for (1) replacement of cast and wrought iron and bare steel pipes and other leak-prone components of the natural gas distribution system, or (2) inspection and maintenance programs for such system.

In awarding grants under the program, DOE must prioritize applications based on the expected results of a project with respect to (1) quantifiable benefits for public safety, (2) the magnitude of methane emissions reductions, (3) innovation in technical or policy approaches, (4) the number of low-income households anticipated to benefit from the assistance, and (5) overall cost-effectiveness of the project.

What's happening now January 9, 2020

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5542: To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for States to provide incentives to natural gas distribution companies for the improvement of natural gas distribution systems, and for other purposes.. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5542/
MLA
"H.R. 5542: To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for States to provide incentives to natural gas distribution companies for the improvement of natural gas distribution systems, and for other purposes.." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5542/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5542, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5542/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5542: To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for States to provide incentives to natural gas distribution companies for the improvement of natural gas distribution systems, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5542/)
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