Western Australia launches draft laws to support hydrogen industry

Western Australia’s mines and petroleum minister Bill Johnston on December 6 announced the release of draft laws to support the state's emerging hydrogen industry and modernise existing petroleum legislation.

The Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill (No.2 2022) seeks to amend the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (PGERA), Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (PPA) and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (PSLA).

The bill addresses a number of petroleum operational-based amendments to the three petroleum acts relating to environmental aspects, royalty calculation, underground storage and additives. It will also enable the exploration and production of naturally occurring hydrogen, the state government said.

“By introducing the new concept of 'regulated substances', the bill proposes that these activities be regulated under the legislative framework within the PGERA and PSLA,” the state government added.

A 12-week consultation period will now begin for stakeholders to provide their feedback on the proposed amendments.