,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #bee #aafth         
,,congress  #ast ,session  ,s4 #afjb    
,report ,no4 #aaf-ace ,,in ,,the        
,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states   
,may #bb1 #bjai,ms4 ,collins 7for       
herself1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 ,ms4 ,smith1   
,mr4 ,gardner1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,ms4        
,mc,sally1 ,mr4 ,king1 ,mr4 ,crapo1 ,ms4
 ,stabenow1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,manchin1
 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 ,mr4    
,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,reed1 ,ms4 ,cortez   
,masto1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 ,ms4 ,duckworth1   
and ,ms4 ,murkowski7 introduced the     
following bill2 which was read twice and
 referred to the ,committee on ,energy  
and ,natural ,resources  ,october #bb1  
#bjai,reported by ,ms4 ,murkowski1 with 
an amendment and an amendment to the    
title,strike out all after the enacting 
clause and insert the part printed in   
italic  ,a ,,bill  ,to amend the ,united
 ,states ,energy ,storage               
,competitiveness ,act of #bjjg to       
establish a research1 development1 and  
demonstration program for grid-scale    

energy storage systems1 and for other   
purposes4  #a4 ,short title ,this ,act  
may be cited as the ,better ,energy     
,storage ,technology ,act or the ,,best 
,act4  #b4 ,grid-scale energy storage   
system research1 development1 and       
demonstration program  7a7 ,in general  
,the ,united ,states ,energy ,storage   
,competitiveness ,act of #bjjg 7#db     
,u4,s4,c4 #agbca7 is amended-- 7#a7 by  
redesignating subsections 7l7 through   
7p7 as subsections 7m7 through 7q71     
respectively2 and  7#b7 by inserting    
after subsection 7k7 the following3  7l7
 ,grid-,scale energy storage system     
research1 development1 and demonstration
 program  7#a7 ,definitions ,in this    
subsection3  7,a7 ,energy storage system
 ,the term energy storage system means a
 system1 equipment1 facility1 or        
technology that-- 7i7 is capable of     
absorbing energy1 storing that energy   
for a period of time1 and dispatching   
the stored energy2 and  7ii7 7,i7 uses a
 mechanical1 electrical1 chemical1      

electrochemical1 or thermal process to  
store energy that-- 7aa7 was generated  
at an earlier time for use at a later   
time2 or  7bb7 was generated from a     
mechanical process1 and would otherwise 
be wasted1 for delivery at a later time2
 or  7,,ii7 stores thermal energy for   
direct use for heating or cooling at a  
later time in a manner that avoids the  
need to use electricity at that later   
time1 in the same manner as the storage 
and use offered by a grid-enabled water 
heater4  7,b7 ,program ,the term program
 means the research1 development1 and   
demonstration program established under 
paragraph 7#b77;,a74  7#b7              
,establishment  7,a7 ,in general ,not   
later than #ahj days after the date of  
enactment of the ,,best ,act1 the       
,secretary shall establish within the   
,office of ,electricity of the          
,department of ,energy a research1      
development1 and demonstration program  
of grid-scale energy storage systems1 in
 accordance with this subsection4  7,b7 

,goals1 priorities1 cost targets ,the   
,secretary shall develop goals1         
priorities1 and cost targets for the    
program4  7#c7 ,strategic plan  7,a7 ,in
 general ,not later than #ahj days after
 the date of enactment of the ,,best    
,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the
 ,committee on ,energy and ,natural     
,resources of the ,senate and the       
,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and     
,technology of the ,house of            
,representatives a #aj-year strategic   
plan for the program4  7,b7 ,contents   
,the strategic plan submitted under     
subparagraph 7,a7 shall-- 7i7 identify  
,department of ,energy programs that--  
7,i7 support the research and           
development activities described in     
paragraph 7#d7 and the demonstration    
projects under paragraph 7#f72 and      
7,,ii7 7aa7 do not support the          
activities or projects described in     
subclause 7,i72 but  7bb7 are important 
to the development of grid-scale energy 
storage systems and the mission of the  

,office of ,electricity of the          
,department of ,energy1 as determined by
 the ,secretary2 and  7ii7 include      
expected timelines for-- 7,i7 the       
accomplishment of relevant objectives   
under current programs of the           
,department of ,energy relating to      
grid-scale energy storage systems2 and  
7,,ii7 the commencement of any new      
initiatives within the ,department of   
,energy relating to grid-scale energy   
storage systems to accomplish those     
objectives4  7,c7 ,updates to plan ,not 
less frequently than once every #b      
years1 the ,secretary shall submit to   
the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural  
,resources of the ,senate and the       
,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and     
,technology of the ,house of            
,representatives an updated #aj-year    
strategic plan1 which shall identify1   
and provide a justification for1 any    
major deviation from a previous         
strategic plan submitted under this     
paragraph4  7#d7 ,research and          

development ,in carrying out the        
program1 the ,secretary shall focus     
research and development activities on  
developing cost-effective energy storage
 systems that--  7,a7 7i7 to balance    
day-scale needs1 are capable of highly  
flexible power output for not less than 
#f hours2 and  7ii7 have a lifetime of--
 7,i7 not less than #h1jjj cycles of    
discharge at full output2 and  7,,ii7   
#bj years of operation2  7,b7 7i7 can   
provide power to the electric grid for  
durations of approximately #aj to #ajj  
hours2 and  7ii7 have a lifetime of--   
7,i7 not less than #a1ejj cycles of     
discharge at full output2 and  7,,ii7   
#bj years of operation2 and  7,c7 can   
store energy over several months and    
address seasonal scale variations in    
supply and demand4  7#e7 ,cost targets  
7,a7 ,in general ,cost targets developed
 by the ,secretary under paragraph      
7#b77;,b7 shall-- 7i7 be for energy     
storage costs across all types of energy
 storage technology2 and  7ii7 include  

technology costs1 installation costs1   
balance of services costs1 and soft     
costs4  7,b7 ,target updates2 subtargets
 ,not less frequently than once every #e
 years during the #aj-year period       
beginning on the date of enactment of   
the ,,best ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 
7i7 revise the cost targets developed   
under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 to be more    
stringent1 based on-- 7,i7 a            
technology-neutral approach that        
considers all types of energy storage   
deployment scenarios1 including         
individual technologies1 technology     
combination use profiles1 and integrated
 control system applications2  7,,ii7   
input from a variety of stakeholders1   
including the stakeholders described in 
subsection 7i77#c72  7,,iii7 the        
inclusion and use of existing           
infrastructure2 and  7,,iv7 the ability 
to optimize the integration of          
intermittent renewable energy generation
 technology and distributed energy      
resources2 and  7ii7 establish cost     

subtargets for technologies and         
applications relating to the energy     
storage systems described in paragraph  
7#d71 taking into consideration--  7,i7 
electricity market prices2 and  7,,ii7  
the goal of being cost-competitive in   
specific markets for electric grid      
products and services4  7#f7            
,demonstration projects  7,a7 ,in       
general ,not later than ,september #cj1 
#bjbc1 under the program1 the ,secretary
 shall1 to the maximum extent           
practicable1 enter into agreements to   
carry out not more than #e grid-scale   
energy storage system demonstration     
projects4  7,b7 ,objectives ,each       
demonstration project carried out under 
subparagraph 7,a7 shall be designed to  
further the development of the energy   
storage systems described in paragraph  
7#d74  7,c7 ,no project ownership       
interest ,the ,federal ,government shall
 not hold any equity or other ownership 
interest in any grid-scale energy       
storage system that is part of a        

demonstration project under this        
paragraph4  7#g7 ,testing and validation
 ,the ,secretary shall accelerate the   
standardized testing and validation of  
grid-scale energy storage systems under 
the program through collaboration with  
one or more ,national ,laboratories 7as 
defined in section #b of the ,energy    
,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4    
#aehja771 including by developing       
testing and evaluation methodologies    
for--  7,a7 standardized grid           
performance testing for energy storage  
systems1 materials1 and technologies    
during each stage of development1       
beginning with the research stage and   
ending with the deployment stage1       
including performance testing with      
charge and discharge protocols to       
evaluate power capability1 energy       
output1 and degradation during cycling  
and calendar aging on earliest stage    
commercially viable prototypes 7commonly
 less than #ajj kilowatts72 and  7,b7   
accelerated life testing protocols to   

predict estimated lifetime metrics with 
accuracy4  7#h7 ,coordination ,to       
accelerate the development of grid-scale
 energy storage systems under the       
program1 and pursuant to subsection 7n71
 the ,secretary shall coordinate with-- 
7,a7 offices within the ,department of  
,energy conducting energy storage       
research1 such as the ,advanced         
,research ,projects ,agency-,energy1 the
 ,office of ,science1 and the ,office of
 ,energy ,efficiency and ,renewable     
,energy2  7,b7 ,federal agencies that   
are carrying out initiatives to increase
 energy security or reliability1 such as
 the ,department of ,defense1 the       
,national ,science ,foundation1 the     
,federal ,energy ,regulatory            
,commission1 and the ,department of     
,homeland ,security2  7,c7 program      
offices that aim to increase domestic   
manufacturing and production1 such as   
the ,office of ,advanced ,manufacturing 
in the ,department of ,energy and the   
,national ,institute of ,standards and  

,technology in the ,department of       
,commerce2 and  7,d7 members of private 
industry to advance the development of  
commercially viable grid-scale energy   
storage systems4  4  7b7 ,authorization 
of appropriations ,the ,united ,states  
,energy ,storage ,competitiveness ,act  
of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agbca7 is      
amended1 in subsection 7q7 7as          
redesignated by subsection 7a77#a77--   
7#a7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking and 
at the end2  7#b7 in paragraph 7#f71 by 
striking the period at the end and      
inserting 2 and2 and  7#c7 by adding at 
the end the following3  7#g7 the        
research1 development1 and demonstration
 program of grid-scale energy storage   
systems under subsection 7l7 #fj1jjj1jjj
 for each of fiscal years #bjbj through 
#bjbd4  4  #a4 ,short title ,this ,act  
may be cited as the ,better ,energy     
,storage ,technology ,act or the ,,best 
,act4  #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3  
7#a7 ,department ,the term ,department  
means the ,department of ,energy4  7#b7 

,energy storage system ,the term energy 
storage system means any system1        
equipment1 facility1 or technology      
that-- 7,a7 is capable of absorbing or  
converting energy1 storing the energy   
for a period of time1 and dispatching   
the energy2 and  7,b7 7i7 uses          
mechanical1 electrochemical1 thermal1   
electrolysis1 or other processes to     
convert and store electric energy that  
was generated at an earlier time for use
 at a later time2 or  7ii7 stores energy
 in an electric1 thermal1 or gaseous    
state for direct use for heating or     
cooling at a later time in a manner that
 avoids the need to use electricity or  
other fuel sources at that later time1  
such as a grid-enabled water heater4    
7#c7 ,national ,laboratory ,the term    
,national ,laboratory has the meaning   
given the term in section #b of the     
,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db      
,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74  7#d7 ,secretary ,the
 term ,secretary means the ,secretary of
 ,energy1 unless otherwise specified4   

#c4 ,energy ,storage ,system ,research1 
,development1 and ,deployment ,program  
7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj 
days after the date of enactment of this
 ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a 
program1 to be known as the ,energy     
,storage ,system ,research1             
,development1 and ,deployment ,program  
7referred to in this section as the     
program74  7b7 ,initial program         
objectives ,the program shall focus on  
research1 development1 and deployment   
of-- 7#a7 energy storage systems        
designed to further the development of  
technologies--  7,a7 for large-scale    
commercial deployment2  7,b7 for        
deployment at cost targets established  
by the ,secretary2  7,c7 for hourly and 
subhourly durations required to provide 
reliability services to the grid2  7,d7 
for daily durations1 which have--  7i7  
the capacity to discharge energy for a  
minimum of #f hours2 and  7ii7 a system 
lifetime of at least #bj years under    
regular operation2  7,e7 for weekly or  

monthly durations1 which have-- 7i7 the 
capacity to discharge energy for #aj to 
#ajj hours1 at a minimum2 and  7ii7 a   
system lifetime of at least #bj years   
under regular operation2 and  7,f7 for  
seasonal durations1 which have--  7i7   
the capability to address seasonal      
variations in supply and demand2 and    
7ii7 a system lifetime of at least #bj  
years under regular operation2  7#b7    
distributed energy storage technologies 
and applications1 including             
building-grid integration2  7#c7        
transportation energy storage           
technologies and applications1 including
 vehicle-grid integration2  7#d7        
cost-effective systems and methods for--
 7,a7 the reclamation1 recycling1 and   
disposal of energy storage materials1   
including lithium1 cobalt1 nickel1 and  
graphite2 and  7,b7 the reuse and       
repurposing of energy storage system    
technologies2  7#e7 advanced control    
methods for energy storage systems2     
7#f7 pumped hydroelectric energy storage

 systems to advance-- 7,a7 adoption of  
innovative technologies1 including--    
7i7 adjustable-speed1 ternary1 and other
 new pumping and generating equipment   
designs2  7ii7 modular systems2  7iii7  
closed-loop systems1 including mines and
 quarries2 and  7iv7 other critical     
equipment and materials for pumped      
hydroelectric energy storage1 as        
determined by the ,secretary2 and  7,b7 
reductions of equipment costs1 civil    
works costs1 and construction times for 
pumped hydroelectric energy storage     
projects1 with the goal of reducing     
those costs by #ej percent2  7#g7 models
 and tools to demonstrate the benefits  
of energy storage to--  7,a7 power and  
water supply systems2  7,b7 electric    
generation portfolio optimization2 and  
7,c7 expanded deployment of other       
renewable energy technologies1 including
 in hybrid energy storage systems2 and  
7#h7 energy storage use cases from      
individual and combination technology   
applications1 including value from      

various-use cases and energy storage    
services4  7c7 ,testing and validation  
,in coordination with #a or more        
,national ,laboratories1 the ,secretary 
shall accelerate the development1       
standardized testing1 and validation of 
energy storage systems under the program
 by developing testing and evaluation   
methodologies for--  7#a7 storage       
technologies1 controls1 and power       
electronics for energy storage systems  
under a variety of operating conditions2
  7#b7 standardized and grid performance
 testing for energy storage systems1    
materials1 and technologies during each 
stage of development1 beginning with the
 research stage and ending with the     
deployment stage2  7#c7 reliability1    
safety1 and durability testing under    
standard and evolving duty cycles2 and  
7#d7 accelerated life testing protocols 
to predict estimated lifetime metrics   
with accuracy4  7d7 ,periodic evaluation
 of program objectives ,not less        
frequently than once every calendar     

year1 the ,secretary shall evaluate and1
 if necessary1 update the program       
objectives to ensure that the program   
continues to advance energy storage     
systems toward widespread commercial    
deployment by lowering the costs and    
increasing the duration of energy       
storage resources4  7e7 ,energy storage 
strategic plan  7#a7 ,in general ,the   
,secretary shall develop a #aj-year     
strategic plan for the program1 and     
update the plan1 in accordance with this
 subsection4  7#b7 ,contents ,the       
strategic plan developed under paragraph
 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 be coordinated with  
and integrated across other relevant    
offices in the ,department2  7,b7 to the
 extent practicable1 include metrics    
that can be used to evaluate storage    
technologies2  7,c7 identify ,department
 programs that-- 7i7 support the        
research and development activities     
described in subsection 7b7 and the     
demonstration projects under section #d2
 and  7ii7 7,i7 do not support the      

activities or projects described in     
clause 7i72 but  7,,ii7 are important to
 the development of energy storage      
systems and the mission of the          
,department1 as determined by the       
,secretary2  7,d7 include expected      
timelines for-- 7i7 the accomplishment  
of relevant objectives under current    
programs of the ,department relating to 
energy storage systems2 and  7ii7 the   
commencement of any new initiatives     
within the ,department relating to      
energy storage systems to accomplish    
those objectives2 and  7,e7 incorporate 
relevant activities described in the    
,grid ,modernization ,initiative        
,multi-,year ,program ,plan4  7#c7      
,submission to ,congress ,not later than
 #ahj days after the date of enactment  
of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall      
submit to the ,committee on ,energy and 
,natural ,resources of the ,senate and  
the ,committees on ,energy and ,commerce
 and ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology  
of the ,house of ,representatives the   

strategic plan developed under paragraph
 7#a74  7#d7 ,updates to plan ,the      
,secretary-- 7,a7 shall annually review 
the strategic plan developed under      
paragraph 7#a72 and  7,b7 may           
periodically revise the strategic plan  
as appropriate4  7f7 ,leveraging of     
resources ,the program may be led by a  
specific office of the ,department1 but 
shall be cross-cutting in nature1 so    
that in carrying out activities under   
the program1 the ,secretary 7or a       
designee of the ,secretary charged with 
leading the program7 shall leverage     
existing ,federal resources1 including1 
at a minimum1 the expertise and         
resources of--  7#a7 the ,office of     
,electricity ,delivery and ,energy      
,reliability2  7#b7 the ,office of      
,energy ,efficiency and ,renewable      
,energy1 including the ,water ,power    
,technologies ,office2 and  7#c7 the    
,office of ,science1 including-- 7,a7   
the ,basic ,energy ,sciences ,program2  
7,b7 the ,advanced ,scientific          

,computing ,research ,program2  7,c7 the
 ,biological and ,environmental         
,research ,program2 and  7#d7 the       
,electricity ,storage ,research         
,initiative established under section   
#ige of the ,energy ,policy ,act of     
#bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcae74  7g7      
,protecting privacy and security ,in    
carrying out this section1 the          
,secretary shall identify1 incorporate1 
and follow best practices for protecting
 the privacy of individuals and         
businesses and the respective sensitive 
data of the individuals and businesses1 
including by managing privacy risk and  
implementing the ,fair ,information     
,practice ,principles of the ,federal   
,trade ,commission for the collection1  
use1 disclosure1 and retention of       
individual electric consumer information
 in accordance with the ,office of      
,management and ,budget ,circular       
,a-#acj 7or successor circulars74  #d4  
,energy storage demonstration projects2 
pilot grant program  7a7 ,demonstration 

projects ,not later than ,september #cj1
 #bjbc1 the ,secretary shall1 to the    
maximum extent practicable1 enter into  
agreements to carry out not fewer than  
#e energy storage system demonstration  
projects1 including at least #a energy  
storage system demonstration project    
designed to further the development of  
technologies described in subparagraph  
7,e7 or 7,f7 of section #c7;b77#a74  7b7
 ,energy storage pilot grant program    
7#a7 ,definition of eligible entity ,in 
this subsection1 the term eligible      
entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state energy     
office 7as defined in section #abd7;a7  
of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje    
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehba7;a7772  7,b7 an   
,indian tribe 7as defined in section #d 
of the ,native ,american ,housing       
,assistance and ,self-,determination    
,act of #aiif 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dajc72    
7,c7 a tribal organization 7as defined  
in section #cgfe of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code72  7,d7 an institution of 
higher education 7as defined in section 

#aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of  
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja772  7,e7 an  
electric utility1 including-- 7i7 an    
electric cooperative2  7ii7 a political 
subdivision of a ,state1 such as a      
municipally owned electric utility1 or  
any agency1 authority1 corporation1 or  
instrumentality of a ,state political   
subdivision2 and  7iii7 an              
investor-owned utility2 and  7,f7 a     
private energy storage company that is a
 small business concern 7within the     
meaning of section #c of the ,small     
,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb774   
7#b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary     
shall establish a competitive grant     
program under which the ,secretary shall
 award grants to eligible entities to   
carry out demonstration projects for    
pilot energy storage systems4  7#c7     
,selection requirements ,in selecting   
eligible entities to receive a grant    
under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary    
shall1 to the maximum extent            
practicable--  7,a7 ensure regional     

diversity among eligible entities       
awarded grants1 including ensuring      
participation of eligible entities that 
are rural ,states and ,states with high 
energy costs2  7,b7 ensure that grants  
are awarded for demonstration projects  
that-- 7i7 expand on the existing       
technology demonstration programs of the
 ,department2  7ii7 are designed to     
achieve #a or more of the objectives    
described in paragraph 7#d72 and  7iii7 
inject or withdraw energy from the bulk 
power system1 electric distribution     
system1 building energy system1 or      
microgrid 7grid-connected or islanded   
mode7 where the project is located2 and 
7,c7 give consideration to proposals    
from eligible entities for securing     
energy storage through competitive      
procurement or contract for service4    
7#d7 ,objectives ,each demonstration    
project carried out by a grant awarded  
under paragraph 7#b7 shall have #a or   
more of the following objectives3  7,a7 
,to improve the security of critical    

infrastructure and emergency response   
systems4  7,b7 ,to improve the          
reliability of transmission and         
distribution systems1 particularly in   
rural areas1 including high-energy-cost 
rural areas4  7,c7 ,to optimize         
transmission or distribution system     
operation and power quality to defer or 
avoid costs of replacing or upgrading   
electric grid infrastructure1 including 
transformers and substations4  7,d7 ,to 
supply energy at peak periods of demand 
on the electric grid or during periods  
of significant variation of electric    
grid supply4  7,e7 ,to reduce peak loads
 of homes and businesses4  7,f7 ,to     
improve and advance power conversion    
systems4  7,g7 ,to provide ancillary    
services for grid stability and         
management4  7,h7 ,to integrate         
renewable energy resource production4   
7,i7 ,to increase the feasibility of    
microgrids 7grid-connected or islanded  
mode74  7,j7 ,to enable the use of      
stored energy in forms other than       

electricity to support the natural gas  
system and other industrial processes4  
7,k7 ,to integrate fast charging of     
electric vehicles4  7,l7 ,to improve    
energy efficiency4  7c7 ,reports ,not   
less frequently than once every #b years
 for the duration of the programs under 
subsections 7a7 and 7b71 the ,secretary 
shall submit to ,congress and make      
publicly available a report describing  
the performance of those programs4  7d7 
,no project ownership interest ,the     
,federal ,government shall not hold any 
equity or other ownership interest in   
any energy storage system that is part  
of a project under this section unless  
the holding is agreed to by each        
participant of the project4  #e4        
,long-duration demonstration initiative 
and joint program  7a7 ,definitions ,in 
this section3 7#a7 ,director of         
,,arpa-,e ,the term ,director of        
,,arpa-,e has the meaning given the term
 in section #ejab7;a7 of the ,america   
,,competes ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4          

#afech7;a774  7#b7 ,director of ,,estcp 
,the term ,director of ,,estcp means the
 ,secretary of ,defense1 acting through 
the ,director of the ,environmental     
,security ,technology ,certification    
,program of the ,department of ,defense4
  7#c7 ,initiative ,the term ,initiative
 means the demonstration initiative     
established under subsection 7b74  7#d7 
,joint ,program ,the term ,joint        
,program means the joint program        
established under subsection 7d74  7#e7 
,secretary ,the term ,secretary means   
the ,secretary of ,energy1 acting       
through the ,director of ,,arpa-,e4  7b7
 ,establishment of ,initiative ,not     
later than #ahj days after the date of  
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall establish a demonstration         
initiative composed of demonstration    
projects focused on the development of  
long-duration energy storage            
technologies4  7c7 ,selection of        
projects ,to the maximum extent         
practicable1 in selecting demonstration 

projects to participate in the          
,initiative1 the ,secretary shall--     
7#a7 ensure a range of technology types2
  7#b7 ensure regional diversity among  
projects2 and  7#c7 consider bulk power 
level1 distribution power level1        
behind-the-meter1 microgrid             
7grid-connected or islanded mode71 and  
off-grid applications4  7d7 ,joint      
,program  7#a7 ,establishment ,as part  
of the ,initiative1 the ,secretary1 in  
consultation with the ,director of      
,,estcp1 shall establish within the     
,department of ,energy a joint program  
to carry out projects--  7,a7 to        
demonstrate promising long-duration     
energy storage technologies at different
 scales2 and  7,b7 to help new1         
innovative long-duration energy storage 
technologies become commercially viable4
  7#b7 ,memorandum of understanding ,not
 later than #bjj days after the date of 
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall enter into a memorandum of        
understanding with the ,director of     

,,estcp to administer the ,joint        
,program4  7#c7 ,infrastructure ,in     
carrying out the ,joint ,program1 the   
,secretary and the ,director of ,,estcp 
shall-- 7,a7 use existing test-bed      
infrastructure at--  7i7 ,department of 
,energy facilities2 and  7ii7           
,department of ,defense installations2  
and  7,b7 develop new infrastructure for
 identified projects1 if appropriate4   
7#d7 ,goals and metrics ,the ,secretary 
and the ,director of ,,estcp shall      
develop goals and metrics for           
technological progress under the ,joint 
,program consistent with energy         
resilience and energy security policies4
  7#e7 ,selection of projects  7,a7 ,in 
general ,to the maximum extent          
practicable1 in selecting projects to   
participate in the ,joint ,program1 the 
,secretary and the ,director of ,,estcp 
shall--  7i7 ensure that projects are   
carried out under conditions that       
represent a variety of environments with
 different physical conditions and      

market constraints2 and  7ii7 ensure an 
appropriate balance of-- 7,i7 larger1   
higher-cost projects2 and  7,,ii7       
smaller1 lower-cost projects4  7,b7     
,priority ,in carrying out the ,joint   
,program1 the ,secretary and the        
,director of ,,estcp shall give priority
 to demonstration projects that--  7i7  
make available to the public project    
information that will accelerate        
deployment of long-duration energy      
storage technologies2 and  7ii7 will be 
carried out in the field4  #f4          
,technical and planning assistance      
program  7a7 ,definitions ,in this      
section3  7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the    
term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an    
electric cooperative2  7,b7 a political 
subdivision of a ,state1 such as a      
municipally owned electric utility1 or  
any agency1 authority1 corporation1 or  
instrumentality of a ,state political   
subdivision2  7,c7 a not-for-profit     
entity that is in a partnership with not
 less than #f entities described in     

subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b72 and  7,d7 an 
investor-owned utility4  7#b7 ,program  
,the term program means the technical   
and planning assistance program         
established under subsection 7b77#a74   
7b7 ,establishment  7#a7 ,in general    
,the ,secretary shall establish a       
technical and planning assistance       
program to assist eligible entities in  
identifying1 evaluating1 planning1      
designing1 and developing processes to  
procure energy storage systems4  7#b7   
,assistance and grants ,under the       
program1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7    
provide technical and planning          
assistance1 including disseminating     
information1 directly to eligible       
entities2 and  7,b7 award grants to     
eligible entities to contract to obtain 
technical and planning assistance from  
outside experts4  7#c7 ,focus ,in       
carrying out the program1 the ,secretary
 shall focus on energy storage system   
projects that have the greatest         
potential for--  7,a7 strengthening the 

reliability and resiliency of energy    
infrastructure2  7,b7 reducing the cost 
of energy storage systems2  7,c7        
improving the feasibility of microgrids 
7grid-connected or islanded mode71      
particularly in rural areas1 including  
high energy cost rural areas2  7,d7     
reducing consumer electricity costs2 or 
7,e7 maximizing local job creation4  7c7
 ,technical and planning assistance     
7#a7 ,in general ,technical and planning
 assistance provided under the program  
shall include assistance with #a or more
 of the following activities relating to
 energy storage systems3  7,a7          
,identification of opportunities to use 
energy storage systems4  7,b7           
,feasibility studies to assess the      
potential for development of new energy 
storage systems or improvement of       
existing energy storage systems4  7,c7  
,assessment of technical and economic   
characteristics1 including a            
cost-benefit analysis4  7,d7 ,utility   
interconnection4  7,e7 ,permitting and  

siting issues4  7,f7 ,business planning 
and financial analysis4  7,g7           
,engineering design4  7,h7 ,resource    
adequacy planning4  7,i7 ,resilience    
planning and valuation4  7#b7 ,exclusion
 ,technical and planning assistance     
provided under the program shall not be 
used to pay any person for influencing  
or attempting to influence an officer or
 employee of any ,federal1 ,state1 or   
local agency1 a ,member of ,congress1 an
 employee of a ,member of ,congress1 a  
,state or local legislative body1 or an 
employee of a ,state or local           
legislative body4  7d7 ,information     
dissemination ,the information          
disseminated under subsection           
7b77#b77;,a7 shall include-- 7#a7       
information relating to the topics      
described in subsection 7c77#a71        
including case studies of successful    
examples2  7#b7 computational tools or  
software for assessment1 design1 and    
operation and maintenance of energy     
storage systems2  7#c7 public databases 

that track existing and planned energy  
storage systems2  7#d7 best practices   
for the utility and grid operator       
business processes associated with the  
topics described in subsection 7c77#a72 
and  7#e7 relevant ,state policies or   
regulations associated with the topics  
described in subsection 7c77#a74  7e7   
,applications  7#a7 ,in general ,the    
,secretary shall seek applications for  
the program--  7,a7 on a competitive1   
merit-reviewed basis2 and  7,b7 on a    
periodic basis1 but not less frequently 
than once every #ab months4  7#b7       
,application ,an eligible entity        
desiring to apply for the program shall 
submit to the ,secretary an application 
at such time1 in such manner1 and       
containing such information as the      
,secretary may require1 including       
whether the eligible entity is applying 
for--  7,a7 direct technical or planning
 assistance under subsection            
7b77#b77;,a72 or  7,b7 a grant under    
subsection 7b77#b77;,b74  7#c7          

,priorities ,in selecting eligible      
entities for technical and planning     
assistance under the program1 the       
,secretary shall give priority to       
eligible entities described in          
subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of          
subsection 7a77#a74  7f7 ,reports ,the  
,secretary shall submit to ,congress and
 make available to the public-- 7#a7 not
 less frequently than once every #b     
years1 a report describing the          
performance of the program1 including a 
synthesis and analysis of any           
information the ,secretary requires     
grant recipients to provide to the      
,secretary as a condition of receiving a
 grant2 and  7#b7 on termination of the 
program1 an assessment of the success   
of1 and education provided by1 the      
measures carried out by eligible        
entities under the program4  7g7        
,cost-sharing ,activities under this    
section shall be subject to the         
cost-sharing requirements under section 
#ihh of the ,energy ,policy ,act of     

#bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afceb74  #g4      
,energy storage materials recycling     
prize competition ,section #ajjh of the 
,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db      
,u4,s4,c4 #afcif7 is amended by adding  
at the end the following3  7g7 ,energy  
,storage ,materials ,recycling ,prize   
,competition  7#a7 ,definition of       
critical energy storage materials ,in   
this subsection1 the term critical      
energy storage materials includes-- 7,a7
 lithium2  7,b7 cobalt2  7,c7 nickel2   
7,d7 graphite2 and  7,e7 any other      
material determined by the ,secretary to
 be critical to the continued growing   
supply of energy storage resources4     
7#b7 ,prize authority  7,a7 ,in general 
,as part of the program established     
under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary    
shall establish an award program1 to be 
known as the ,energy ,storage ,materials
 ,recycling ,prize ,competition         
7referred to in this subsection as the  
program71 under which the ,secretary    
shall carry out prize competitions and  

make awards to advance the recycling of 
critical energy storage materials4  7,b7
 ,frequency ,to the maximum extent      
practicable1 the ,secretary shall carry 
out a competition under the program not 
less frequently than once every calendar
 year4  7#c7 ,eligibility  7,a7 ,in     
general ,to be eligible to win a prize  
under the program1 an individual or     
entity-- 7i7 shall have complied with   
the requirements of the competition as  
described in the announcement for that  
competition published in the ,federal   
,register by the ,secretary under       
paragraph 7#f72  7ii7 in the case of a  
private entity1 shall be incorporated in
 the ,united ,states and maintain a     
primary place of business in the ,united
 ,states2  7iii7 in the case of an      
individual1 whether participating singly
 or in a group1 shall be a citizen of1  
or an alien lawfully admitted for       
permanent residence in1 the ,united     
,states4  7,b7 ,exclusions ,the         
following entities and individuals shall

 not be eligible to win a prize under   
the program3 7i7 ,a ,federal entity4    
7ii7 ,a ,federal employee 7including an 
employee of a ,national ,laboratory7    
acting within the scope of employment4  
7#d7 ,awards ,in carrying out the       
program1 the ,secretary shall award cash
 prizes1 in amounts to be determined by 
the ,secretary1 to each individual or   
entity selected through a competitive   
process to develop advanced methods or  
technologies to recycle critical energy 
storage materials from energy storage   
systems4  7#e7 ,criteria  7,a7 ,in      
general ,the ,secretary shall establish 
objective1 merit-based criteria for     
awarding the prizes in each competition 
carried out under the program4  7,b7    
,requirements ,the criteria established 
under subparagraph 7,a7 shall prioritize
 advancements in methods or technologies
 that present the greatest potential for
 large-scale commercial deployment4     
7,c7 ,consultation ,in establishing     
criteria under subparagraph 7,a71 the   

,secretary shall consult with           
appropriate members of private industry 
involved in the commercial deployment of
 energy storage systems4  7#f7          
,advertising and solicitation of        
competitors  7,a7 ,in general ,the      
,secretary shall announce each prize    
competition under the program by        
publishing a notice in the ,federal     
,register4  7,b7 ,requirements ,each    
notice published under subparagraph 7,a7
 shall describe the essential elements  
of the competition1 such as--  7i7 the  
subject of the competition2  7ii7 the   
duration of the competition2  7iii7 the 
eligibility requirements for            
participation in the competition2  7iv7 
the process for participants to register
 for the competition2  7v7 the amount of
 the prize2 and  7vi7 the criteria for  
awarding the prize4  7#g7 ,judges  7,a7 
,in general ,for each prize competition 
under the program1 the ,secretary shall 
assemble a panel of qualified judges to 
select the winner or winners of the     

competition on the basis of the criteria
 established under paragraph 7#e74  7,b7
 ,selection ,the judges for each        
competition shall include appropriate   
members of private industry involved in 
the commercial deployment of energy     
storage systems4  7,c7 ,conflicts ,an   
individual may not serve as a judge in a
 prize competition under the program if 
the individual1 the spouse of the       
individual1 any child of the individual1
 or any other member of the household of
 the individual--  7i7 has a personal or
 financial interest in1 or is an        
employee1 officer1 director1 or agent   
of1 any entity that is a registered     
participant in the prize competition for
 which the individual will serve as a   
judge2 or  7ii7 has a familial or       
financial relationship with a registered
 participant in the prize competition   
for which the individual will serve as a
 judge4  7#h7 ,report to ,congress ,not 
later than #fj days after the date on   
which the first prize is awarded under  

the program1 and annually thereafter1   
the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress
 a report that--  7,a7 identifies each  
award recipient2  7,b7 describes the    
advanced methods or technologies        
developed by each award recipient2 and  
7,c7 specifies actions being taken by   
the ,department toward commercial       
application of all methods or           
technologies with respect to which a    
prize has been awarded under the        
program4  7#i7 ,anti-,deficiency ,act   
,the ,secretary shall carry out the     
program in accordance with section #acda
 of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code    
7commonly referred to as the            
,anti-,deficiency ,act74  7#aj7         
,authorization of appropriations ,there 
is authorized to be appropriated to     
carry out this subsection #aj1jjj1jjj   
for each of fiscal years #bjbj through  
#bjbd1 to remain available until        
expended4  4  #h4 ,regulatory actions to
 encourage energy storage deployment    
7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 

,commission ,the term ,commission means 
the ,federal ,energy ,regulatory        
,commission4  7#b7 ,electric storage    
resource ,the term electric storage     
resource means a resource capable of    
receiving electric energy from the grid 
and storing that electric energy for    
later injection back into the grid4  7b7
 ,regulatory action  7#a7 ,in general   
,not later than #a year after the date  
of enactment of this ,act1 the          
,commission shall issue a regulation to 
identify the eligibility of1 and process
 for1 electric storage resources--  7,a7
 to receive cost recovery through       
,commission-regulated rates for the     
transmission of electric energy in      
interstate commerce2 and  7,b7 that     
receive cost recovery under subparagraph
 7,a7 to receive compensation for other 
services 7such as the sale of energy1   
capacity1 or ancillary services7 without
 regard to whether those services are   
provided concurrently with the          
transmission service described in       

subparagraph 7,a74  7#b7 ,prohibition of
 duplicate recovery ,any regulation     
issued under paragraph 7#a7 shall       
preclude the receipt of unjust and      
unreasonable double recovery for        
electric storage resources providing    
services described in subparagraphs 7,a7
 and 7,b7 of that paragraph4  7c7       
,electric storage resources technical   
conference  7#a7 ,in general ,not later 
than #ahj days after the date of        
enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission 
shall convene a technical conference on 
the potential for electric storage      
resources to improve the operation of   
electric systems4  7#b7 ,requirements   
,the technical conference under         
paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 identify    
opportunities for further consideration 
of electric storage resources in        
regional and interregional transmission 
planning processes within the           
jurisdiction of the ,commission2  7,b7  
identify all energy1 capacity1 and      
ancillary service products1 market      

designs1 or rules that-- 7i7 are within 
the jurisdiction of the ,commission2 and
  7ii7 enable and compensate for the use
 of electric storage resources that     
improve the operation of electric       
systems2  7,c7 examine additional       
products1 market designs1 or rules that 
would enable and compensate for the use 
of electric storage resources for       
improving the operation of electric     
systems2 and  7,d7 examine the          
functional value of electric storage    
resources at the transmission and       
distribution system interface for       
purposes of providing electric system   
reliability4  #i4 ,coordination ,to the 
maximum extent practicable1 the         
,secretary shall coordinate the         
activities under this ,act 7including   
activities conducted pursuant to the    
amendments made by this ,act7 among the 
offices and employees of the            
,department1 other ,federal agencies1   
and other relevant entities--  7#a7 to  
ensure appropriate collaboration2 and   

7#b7 to avoid unnecessary duplication of
 those activities4  #aj4 ,authorization 
of appropriations ,there are authorized 
to be appropriated-- 7#a7 to carry out  
section #c1 #ajj1jjj1jjj for each of    
fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd1 to    
remain available until expended2  7#b7  
to carry out section #d1 #ajj1jjj1jjj   
for each of fiscal years #bjbj through  
#bjbd1 to remain available until        
expended2  7#c7 to carry out section #e1
 #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years   
#bjbj through #bjbd1 to remain available
 until expended2 and  7#d7 to carry out 
section #f1 #bj1jjj1jjj for each of     
fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd1 to    
remain available until expended4  ,amend
 the title so as to read3 ,a bill to    
support research1 development1 and      
demonstration programs relating to      
energy storage systems1 and for other   
purposes44 ,october #bb1 #bjai,reported 
with an amendment and an amendment to   
the title