ESA applauds introduction of American Energy Innovation Act

The Energy Storage Association (ESA) is applauding Senate consideration of the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), which aims to increase the use of renewable energy and energy storage through investments and modernization of domestic energy laws.

In a statement published by ESA CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman, the association lauded the actions taken by Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Joe Manchin (D-WV), in particular for inclusion of the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act, which would push energy storage investments in the AEIA.

“Energy storage is a fundamental building block to establish a more resilient, efficient, sustainable, and affordable grid, and the AEIA recognizes this by elevating energy storage to a major priority among the Department of Energy’s (DOE) research and development objectives,” Backman said. “The BEST Act takes a promising step toward accelerating the widespread adoption of all types of energy storage technologies by a broad set of users, assisting electric grid operators to deliver infrastructure capabilities that meet 21st-century demands. However, in order to realize a modernized, clean grid, it is critical that the Senate take immediate action to provide commiserate incentives for energy storage, as it has with other clean energy technologies. Enacting a standalone energy storage tax credit would benefit all stakeholders.”

Introduction of the bill followed hearings and business meetings on the subject throughout 2019. The AEIA will push at a variety of areas, including energy efficiency; renewable energy; energy storage; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; advanced nuclear; industrial and vehicle technologies; mineral security, cyber and grid security and modernization; and workforce development.

“This bill is our best chance to modernize our nation’s energy policies in more than 12 years,” Murkowski said. “By working together to pass it into law, we can promote a range of emerging technologies that will help keep energy affordable even as it becomes cleaner and cleaner. Our bill also addresses national needs by taking overdue steps to enhance our cybersecurity, grid security, and mineral security. I’m proud of the bipartisan work we have done and encourage all members of the Senate to work with us to advance it through the legislative process.”