1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative Act . 2. Appalachian regional energy hub (a) Appalachian regional energy hub initiative (1) In general Subchapter I of chapter 145 of subtitle IV of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 14511. Appalachian regional energy hub initiative (a) In general The Appalachian Regional Commission may provide technical assistance to, make grants to, enter into contracts with, or otherwise provide amounts to individuals or entities in the Appalachian region for projects and activities— (1) to conduct research and analysis regarding the economic impact of an ethane storage hub in the Appalachian region that supports a more-effective energy market performance due to the scale of the project, such as a project with the capacity to store and distribute more than 100,000 barrels per day of hydrocarbon feedstock with a minimum gross heating value of 1,700 Btu per standard cubic foot; (2) with the potential to significantly contribute to the economic resilience of the area in which the project is located; and (3) that will help establish a regional energy hub in the Appalachian region for natural gas and natural gas liquids, including storage and associated pipelines. (b) Limitation on available amounts Of the cost of any activity eligible for a grant under this section— (1) not more than 50 percent may be provided from amounts made available to carry out this section; (2) in the case of a project to be carried out in a county for which a distressed county designation is in effect under section 14526, not more than 80 percent may be provided from amounts made available to carry out this section