April 28, 2016

Rep. Mark Takano Introduces Legislation to Advance Grid Storage

Washington DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced the Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2016, which will create an energy storage research program, loan program, and technical assistance program at the Department of Energy.

“As Co-Chair of the Battery Energy Storage Caucus, I believe energy storage is critical to creating a modernized grid and making renewables a more reliable energy source,” said Rep. Takano. “This bill provides the needed research investments and programs to build on the work already underway at the Department of Energy and to promote storage technology and innovation.” 

The Advancing Grid Storage Act establishes a program, within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, that supports and provides critical funding to research for energy storage programs. It also creates an energy storage demonstration and deployment loan program as well as a technical assistance grant program to help eligible entities identify, evaluate, plan and design energy storage systems.

The bill mirrors the Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2015 (S. 1256), a proposal introduced in the Senate by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN).

Current cosponsors include: Rep. Chaka Fattah, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Mike Honda, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and Rep. Mark Takai.