BCI Urges Congress for Policies Supporting Domestic Battery Industry

Battery Industry Association Pushes for Legislative Action to Bolster Domestic Manufacturing

Battery Council International (BCI), a leading body in the energy storage sector, is pushing U.S. lawmakers to support and expand policies favorable to domestic battery production, focusing on enhancing competitiveness and safeguarding supply chains. This comes amid heightened governmental scrutiny over expenditures.

In their recent policy brief, BCI President Roger Miksad underscored the integral role of batteries, describing them as “a cornerstone of the modern American economy.” The industry sustains a whopping $8.1 trillion in economic output and supports around 48 million jobs across the U.S., as highlighted by Miksad. With over 160 member companies spread globally, the association has been a crucial part of the industry for over a century.

As reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the year 2024 saw a doubling in grid-connected battery storage, a growth that domestic manufacturing is poised to support effectively.

Key Policy Priorities from BCI

The organization has identified five critical areas for policy action, spanning manufacturing support, innovation, and safety:

Manufacturing Support:

• BCI stresses the necessity for Congress to retain the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit. The association warns that repealing this credit could weaken the standing of U.S. manufacturers against overseas competitors.
• Another emphasis is on removing the excise taxes on battery raw materials, which were part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Innovation Funding:

• The association advocates for continued financial backing from the Department of Energy (DOE). Recent developments include a $5 million DOE grant awarded in 2024 aimed at advancing long-duration energy storage with a cost target of $0.05/kWh by 2030.

For more in-depth coverage, read the full article on ESS-news.