Moran aims to improve access to renewable energy for rural residents, electric cooperatives

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on April 11 introduced bipartisan legislation to establish an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical assistance program.

“This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will increase grid reliability and resilience and help communities in Kansas and across the country – especially in rural areas – access energy supplies during peak usage periods with less burdensome rate hikes,” Sen. Moran said on Monday.

Sen. Moran cosponsored the Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy (EASE) Act, S. 1183, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), to help improve access for rural communities and their electricity cooperatives to renewable energy storage and grid improvements via better resources and expertise.

“Kansas is a nationwide leader in renewable energy and an increased capacity for energy storage is imperative to grow and capitalize on our renewable energy potential,” said Sen. Moran.

If enacted, S. 1183, the senator said, would implement certain initiatives to simplify how rural communities and their electricity cooperatives plan, implement and maintain their own renewable energy storage and microgrid projects.

According to Sen. Moran’s office, the United States in 2017 generated 4 billion megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, yet had only 431 MWh of electricity storage available.

And while tax incentives have aided development of renewable energy projects across the nation, Sen. Moran’s statement pointed out that some of the biggest barriers to exploration and establishment of new renewable energy projects, like storage in rural communities, is navigating the planning, implementation and maintenance of such projects.

S. 1183 is under review by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.