How the PIPES Act Could Power America’s Hydrogen Leap

New U.S. law charts first hydrogen pipeline standards, boosting clarity, safety, and investor trust

6 Nov 2025

A new federal law is reshaping how the U.S. handles hydrogen, marking a turning point for one of clean energy’s most promising frontiers. The PIPES Act of 2025, still moving through Congress, would create the nation’s first dedicated safety standards for hydrogen pipelines, a long-awaited step toward a clearer, safer energy market.

Until now, hydrogen transport has been managed under natural gas rules. That patchwork approach left regulators and investors uneasy about expanding the network. The PIPES Act aims to fix that by directing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to craft specific standards for hydrogen pipelines, blending systems, and leak detection. It also reauthorizes the agency with more than $800 million in funding tied to oversight of hydrogen and carbon dioxide lines.

“This legislation gives the industry what it’s been asking for: clarity,” said an analyst at the Hydrogen Council. “It removes a major barrier to investment by creating a predictable safety framework.”

Companies like Air Products and Linde could benefit most, as the law sets the stage for building dedicated hydrogen networks and underground storage. Though compliance costs may rise in the short term, experts say the payoff will be stronger investor confidence and fewer operational risks.

The timing is crucial. As the U.S. pours billions into hydrogen hubs and zero-emission transport, global rivals are racing to scale up their own systems. A unified federal rulebook could help American firms move faster and attract more capital.

Final details are still to come, as PHMSA drafts the specific regulations that will make the law operational. But optimism runs high. “This is the start of a safer, smarter hydrogen era,” said an energy policy expert at the Center for Strategic Energy Studies.

By defining how hydrogen will flow safely across the country, the PIPES Act does more than regulate. It builds trust in a technology poised to drive the next chapter of the clean energy revolution.