Legislation was introduced in both the House and Senate this week to encourage the development of energy storage systems in the United States. In the House, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act of 2019, co-sponsored by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), and Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH). Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced a companion BEST Act in the Senate.
The bipartisan legislation aims to support grid-scale energy storage R&D and improve the efficiency of the nation’s electric grid, while helping to align research efforts on energy storage technologies.
“Next generation energy storage devices will help enhance the efficiency and reliability of our electric grid, reduce energy costs, and promote the adoption of renewable resources,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation would help catalyze the development of this technology that holds great promise in the fight against climate change by supporting clean energy generation, including wind and solar.”
“If enacted, the BEST Act will authorize the Department of Energy to undertake new public-private partnerships for proving promising electrochemical, thermal, and physical storage technologies in actual electric grid operations. Doing so will ensure a fuller range of storage options is available to meet the needs of a 21st century electric system,” said Energy Storage Association CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman.
The BEST Act legislation aims to increase the affordability of this technology by directing the DOE to pursue a strategic plan and implement cost targets.
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