H.R. 8706

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8706 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8706

To amend the Energy Act of 2020 to modify certain programs and projects 
with respect to energy storage technology, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2026

Mr. Panetta (for himself and Mr. Harrigan) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Energy Act of 2020 to modify certain programs and projects 
with respect to energy storage technology, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Better Energy Storage and Safety 
Act''.

SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS WITH RESPECT TO 
ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY.

(a) Clarification of Definition of Energy Storage System.--
Subsection (a)(1) of section 3201 of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 
17232) is amended by inserting ``(including any components or modules 
that comprise such a system)'' after ``any system''.
(b) Energy Storage System Research, Development, and Deployment 
Program.--
(1) Expanding objectives.--Paragraph (2) of section 3201(b) 
of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
inserting ``modules,'' after ``components,''; 
and
(ii) in clause (i), by inserting ``of 
residential and utility energy storage 
systems'' after ``deployment'';
(B) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' after 
the semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraphs:
``(K) models, tools, and diagnostic data sets to 
improve the safe installation and long-term operation 
of energy storage systems by abating expected failure 
modes that could damage such a system, including--
``(i) component, module, or system failure; 
and
``(ii) thermal runaway and other fire and 
explosion risks; and
``(L) early detection methods and preventative 
maintenance techniques relating to failure modes of 
energy storage systems.''.
(2) Modifying testing and validation.--Paragraph (3) of 
section 3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) 
is amended to read as follows:
``(3) Benchmarking, testing, and validation.--
``(A) In general.--In coordination with one or more 
National Laboratories, the Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, and the 
Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, 
the Secretary shall support the development, 
standardized testing, and validation of energy storage 
systems specified in subparagraph (B), including test-
bed trials and field tests, by developing testing and 
evaluation methodologies for the following:
``(i) Storage technologies, controls, and 
power electronics for such systems under a 
variety of operating and failure conditions, 
including such conditions that occur while such 
a system is being utilized.
``(ii) Standardized and grid performance 
testing for energy storage systems, materials, 
and technologies at each stage of development 
and at the operational system level.
``(iii) Reliability, safety, degradation, 
and durability testing under standard and 
evolving duty cycles.
``(iv) Component, module, and integrated 
system level safety and degradation stress 
testing to failure.
``(v) Accelerated life testing protocols to 
predict estimated lifetime metrics with 
accuracy.
``(vi) Equipment, including automated fire 
suppression systems, and techniques for 
mitigating risks of such energy storage 
systems.
``(B) Energy storage systems specified.--The energy 
storage systems specified in this subparagraph are 
energy storage systems that satisfy the following 
requirements:
``(i) Are under the program.
``(ii) Are operational and connected to the 
grid.
``(iii) Were installed before the most 
recent codes and standards for such systems.
``(iv) Represent a variety of the following 
characteristics:
``(I) Chemistries.
``(II) Compositions.
``(III) Installation and 
manufacturing techniques.
``(IV) Any other characteristic the 
Secretary determines appropriate.''.
(3) Modifying periodic evaluations.--Paragraph (4) of 
section 3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) 
is amended--
(A) by inserting ``the testing and evaluation of'' 
after ``advance''; and
(B) by striking ``costs and increasing the 
duration'' and inserting ``costs, increasing the 
lifetime, and improving the safety''.
(4) Modifying strategic plan.--Paragraph (5)(B) of section 
3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) is 
amended--
(A) in clause (iii)(II)(bb), by striking ``and the 
mission of the Department, as determined by the 
Secretary'';
(B) in clause (iv)(II), by striking ``and'' after 
the semicolon;
(C) in clause (v), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(vi) include a summary of the status of 
any innovative, emerging, or alternative 
technologies that could improve the 
performance, durability, or safety of grid-
scale energy storage systems and any potential 
commercial barriers to such innovative, 
emerging, or alternative technologies.''.
(5) Leveraging of resources.--Paragraph (6) of section 
3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) is 
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) in clause (ii), by adding ``and'' at 
the end; and
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' 
after the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraphs:
``(E) the United States Fire Administration; and
``(F) the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology.''.
(c) Increasing Number of Energy Storage Demonstration Projects.--
Paragraph (1) of section 3201(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 
17232(c)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2030''; and
(B) by striking ``3'' and inserting ``5'';
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the 
semicolon;
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(C) at least 1 energy storage system 
demonstration project designed to further the safety of 
technologies described in clause (iii) or (iv) of such 
subsection, including through stress testing to 
failure; and
``(D) at least 1 energy storage system 
demonstration project designed to further the safety of 
technologies described in clause (v) or (vi) of such 
subsection, including through stress testing to 
failure.''.
(d) Energy Storage Pilot Grant Program.--
(1) Expanding selection requirements.--Paragraph (2)(C)(ii) 
of section 3201(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 
17232(c)) is amended--
(A) in subclause (II), by striking ``and'' after 
the semicolon; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subclauses:
``(IV) improve the safety of 
operational energy storage systems 
through component, module, and 
integrated system level testing and 
evaluation; and
``(V) utilize data from such energy 
storage systems to improve, such as 
through the prediction of system 
failure, the safety of such energy 
storage systems;''.
(2) Expanding objectives.--Paragraph (2)(D) of section 
3201(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(c)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new clauses:
``(xiii) To improve and advance the 
robustness of testing and evaluation 
methodologies for energy storage systems.
``(xiv) To improve and advance data 
collection mechanisms for operational energy 
storage systems.
``(xv) To improve the diagnostic, 
artificial intelligence, computing, and digital 
twin capabilities of energy storage systems.
``(xvi) To improve the safety of installed 
energy storage systems.
``(xvii) To test innovative chemistries for 
grid-connected energy storage systems that are 
safer than conventional chemistries for such 
energy storage systems.''.
(e) Expanding Priorities of the Electric Vehicle Battery Second-
Life Project.--Paragraph (3)(C) of section 3201(c) of the Energy Act of 
2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(c)) is amended by inserting ``advanced safety 
testing and evaluation methodologies or'' after ``from''.
(f) Chemistries and Stress Testing in Long-Duration Demonstration 
Initiative and Joint Program.--Subsection (d) of section 3201 of the 
Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting ``and chemistries'' 
after ``types''; and
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``scales; 
and'' and inserting ``scales and with various 
chemistries;'';
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following 
new clause:
``(iii) to develop safety features that 
prevent or mitigate the failure of long-
duration energy storage technologies.''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting ``for 
stress testing integrated energy storage systems to 
failure'' after ``appropriate''.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of section 
3201 of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) to carry out programs, initiatives, and associated 
activities relating to the safety of energy storage systems and 
energy storage technologies pursuant to subsections (b) through 
(d), as the case may be, $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2027 through 2031, to remain available until expended.''.
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