Collins introduces two bipartisan bills to improve America’s energy storage capabilities

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on May 22 proposed two complementary, bipartisan bills that together would provide more than a billion dollars in federal funds to support filling the nation’s need for energy storage.

“Unlocking the next generation of energy storage technology will unleash the potential of renewable energy and will be a powerful tool to help slow climate change,” Sen. Collins said on Tuesday.

Sen. Collins sponsored the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act, S. 1602, with cosponsors U.S. Sens. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) to authorize $60 million annually from 2020 to 2024 that would establish a grid-scale energy storage demonstration, research and development program to improve efficiency of the nation’s electric grid, according to a summary provided by Sen. Collins’ office.

“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 Sen. 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.”

Sen. Collins also cosponsored the Promoting Grid Storage Act of 2019, S. 1593, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and cosponsor U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) to require the U.S. Secretary of Energy to establish an energy storage research program, a demonstration program, and a technical assistance and grant program.

S. 1593 would authorize $1.05 billion in funding over five years to improve the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) storage research efforts; fund DOE grants to help public and private entities expand their energy storage capabilities; and provide grants for pilot storage systems, according to a separate summary Collins’ office released.

“This legislation takes a holistic approach to advance promising research and support technical assistance for all types of energy storage,” said Sen. Collins. “Together with the BEST Act … we are making significant strides to promote clean, renewable energy.”