Reps. Takano, Collins introduce bills to expand clean energy storage, launch Advanced Energy Storage Caucus

Reps. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Chris Collins (R-NY) recently introduced three bills that aim to expand clean battery energy storage and launched the bipartisan Advanced Energy Storage Caucus.

“Americans are looking for Congressional action on environmental causes and expansion of clean and affordable renewable energy that moves us away from dependence on fossil fuels and unsustainable energy sources,” Takano said. “This legislative package is a bold environmental effort that will help address those concerns – battery energy storage is the future of renewable energy, and cheap grid-scale storage means that renewables can compete with fossil fuels on cost alone.

The Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act (STORAGE Act), H.R. 1744, amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add energy storage systems to the list of strategies states should consider when creating energy plans and using their utility ratemaking authority.

The Battery Storage Innovation Act, H.R. 1742, expands the categories of projects that are eligible for innovative technology loan guarantees to include projects for battery storage technologies for residential, industrial or transportation applications.

The Advancing Grid Storage Act, H.R. 1743, requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish certain energy storage programs.

Through the bipartisan Advanced Energy Storage Caucus, Members of Congress will work to advance the understanding of energy storage systems and how they help Americans to access reliable and sustainable electric power.

“Across the nation, states are facing an aging energy grid that is becoming unreliable as demand continues to grow for both the residential and commercial sectors,” Collins said. “It is vital that Congress focuses on energy storage technology that is uniquely suited to address infrastructure and energy challenges that our country will continue to face in the coming years.  This is why we have introduced the Advanced Energy Storage Caucus to work with industry leaders in promoting further research and development of battery storage technologies to ensure the United States can operate on a reliable and resilient energy grid.”