Better Energy Storage and Safety Act
Sponsored By: Representative Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
Introduced
Summary
Energy storage safety and testing would be pushed to the front of federal energy R&D. The bill broadens what counts as an energy storage system and requires standardized lab and on-grid field tests, data collection, and new safety tools to detect and prevent failures.
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- First responders and public safety: Requires coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration and funds testing of fire suppression and failure-mode scenarios to improve detection and mitigate thermal runaway, fire, and explosion risks.
- Manufacturers, grid operators, and researchers: Expands the program to cover components and modules, standardizes testing at component, module, and system levels, and adds accelerated life, degradation, and reliability testing plus AI and digital-twin data capabilities.
- Demonstrations and pilots: Increases demonstration projects from 3 to 5, extends demonstration deadlines to September 30, 2030, expands pilot grant goals to include system-level safety testing and second-life electric vehicle battery safety evaluation.
*Would authorize $30 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031, available until expended, increasing federal spending over that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New funding for storage safety
This bill would provide $30 million each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, to remain available until expended. The money would fund energy storage safety programs, grants, demonstrations, testing, and related activities under subsections (b) through (d). Recipients could include research labs, installers, utilities, and other selected organizations.
More demonstrations and safety pilots
This bill would raise the maximum number of demonstration projects from 3 to 5 and extend the deadline to September 30, 2030. At least two demonstration projects must focus on safety and include stress testing to failure. Long-duration demonstrations would be required to cover various chemistries, scales, safety-feature development, and stress testing integrated systems to failure. Pilot grant priorities would shift to favor advanced safety testing, better operational data, diagnostics/AI, and testing of safer chemistries.
Stronger testing and safety plans
This bill would require the Energy Department, national labs, NIST, and the U.S. Fire Administration to develop standard tests and validation for energy storage. Tests would include stress-to-failure trials, accelerated life testing, grid performance checks, and trials of fire suppression equipment. The bill would expand the program definition to cover components, modules, and residential systems. Program plans and evaluations would have to report on testing, lifetime, safety, and the status of new technologies and barriers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov