CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman’s Statement on introduction of the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act and the Promoting Grid Storage Act of 2019
Energy Storage Association CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman today issued the following statement on the introduction of the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act and the Promoting Grid Storage Act of 2019:
“We commend Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) & Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) for leading a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in their respective chambers for introducing companion measures to support the growth of energy storage. Our country needs the flexibility for a more resilient, efficient, sustainable and affordable electric grid that energy storage provides. These bills are committing public dollars to prepare the next generation of storage technologies to better manage stresses on the electric system for longer periods.
“The BEST Act will authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to create public-private partnerships to demonstrate new electrochemical, thermal and physical storage technologies in real-time electric grid operations. The Promoting Grid Storage Act, which was also introduced today in the House of Representatives by Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) & Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), will enable the DOE to provide states, utilities, municipalities and electric cooperatives with the resources needed to improve storage integration into long-term planning and grid operations. This will reduce barriers to storage deployment, particularly for smaller utilities. Both measures ensure a fuller range of storage options that can meet the increasing demands of a 21st century electric system.”
ESA is pleased to endorse the Promoting Grid Storage Act, and along with the American Public Power Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, we have sent letters to committee leadership in the House and Senate seeking to advance it. ESA also is pleased to endorse the BEST Act, along with ClearPath Action, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and several other organizations. The policy leaders introducing these two bills today join a diverse and growing set of leading legislators in the House and Senate who all agree that advancing energy storage is a priority:
- Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act (S. 1142) – Sen. Martin Heinrich and Sen. Cory Gardner
- Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act (H.R. 2096) – Rep. Mike Doyle, Rep. Linda Sanchez and Rep. Earl Blumenauer
- Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act (S. 1183) – Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Jerry Moran
- Clean Energy for America Act (S. 1288) – Sen. Ron Wyden
- Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act (H.R. 1744) – Rep. Mark Takano and Rep. Doug Collins
- Battery Storage Innovation Act (H.R. 1742) – Rep. Takano and Rep. Collins
- Advancing Grid Storage Act (H.R. 1743) – Rep. Takano and Rep. Collins