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Foster Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance American Energy Storage

May 23, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act of 2019. The legislation is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), and Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH).

The BEST Act would reauthorize and reorient the Department of Energy's grid-scale storage research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) efforts and create specific and well-defined objectives for energy storage RD&D projects, aligning research efforts across appropriate federal agencies and national labs. The BEST Act directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a "moon shot" goal of up to five demonstrations of grid-scale battery storage that will meet aggressive commercialization targets for cost, performance, and durability.

"Energy storage is one of the great frontiers in new technology that could transform our nation's energy sector as we move to more environmentally sustainable energy models," Foster said. "I introduced this legislation to build on the success we've already had sustaining federal funding for research into energy storage technology and continue America's technological leadership in this critical area. Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois is leading the way on advancements in battery storage and this legislation will help to make sure we continue that progress."

"Investing in research to improve our energy storage technology will help make energy more reliable and affordable for consumers," Congresswoman Herrera Beutler said. "I'm pleased to work with Congressman Foster and support this bipartisan legislation that strengthens vital research happening at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and elsewhere to bring energy storage technology into the 21st century."

Companion legislation in the Senate is being led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

A copy of the BEST Act is available here.

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