“Reliable Investment in Vital Energy Reauthorization Act”; S.1455, the “Energy Storage Goals and Demonstration Projects Act”; S.1563, the “Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act”; S.1851, the “Advancing Grid Storage Act”; S.1876, the “Reducing the Cost of Energy Storage Act”; S.1981, the “Small Scale LNG Access Act”; and S.2030, the “Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act.”
Introduction
Chairman Gardner, Ranking Member Manchin, and Members of the Subcommittee, it is a privilege and an honor to serve at the
In support of the Administration's goals of energy dominance and economic competitiveness, resources within
Energy Landscape
There has been an energy revolution in
These challenges to the energy system come in many forms, and addressing them will require action by many parties, including
I have been asked to testify on multiple bills today, which the Administration continues to review. Our understanding of what each bill seeks to accomplish is as follows:
S. 1455 - Energy Storage Goals and Demonstration Project Act
It appears this bill sets new goals for research and demonstration projects, including the deployment of three grid-scale energy storage demonstrations. The future resiliency and reliability of our electric system likely depends to a large degree on the deployment of breakthrough battery technologies. While
S. 1851 - Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2017
This bill requires the Secretary to establish an energy storage research program, a demonstration and deployment program, and a technical assistance and grant program. The bill seeks to continue R&D on storage materials, electrochemical systems, and power conversion technologies. It specifically directs the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to conduct research, and the
The Department recognizes the content and approach taken within the proposed legislation. The basic elements of the program appear to foster the acceleration of energy storage systems.
As the members of this Committee are aware, the Administration proposed to eliminate funding for ARPA-E in its FY 2018 budget request. It appears the language in the bill singles out ARPA-E for undertaking this research, however, the Department has typically undertaken grid-scale energy storage research through its OE program with notable success. With this in mind, the Department hopes to have the discretion to determine under what program offices
Finally, advanced technologies owned by Federally funded laboratories are used to facilitate public/private partnerships. The Department has a proven record of success with this arrangement. Thus, it is important that "lab-owned" technologies (given the appropriate application of provisions for the licensing of intellectual property) be considered as potential candidates for demonstration projects in any legislation considered by the Committee.
S. 1876 - Reducing the Cost of Energy Storage Act
This bill seeks to "establish a cross-cutting national program" within
Currently at the Department, the
The Department appreciates the research priorities in the bill, and looks forward to working with the Committee to evaluate the technical targets contained in the bill, such as any specific cost targets for vehicular and grid energy storage.
S. 1563 - Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act
It's likely the development of a domestic supply of rare earth elements (REEs) that is economically competitive will help fuel our nation's economic growth, secure our energy independence, and increase our national security. The bill appears to authorize
The bill appears to acknowledge the current ongoing efforts within
S. 2030 - Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act
This bill changes the compliance date for amended energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits from
By syncing up compliance dates, the date of importation of compliant products will be the same, allowing for easier compliance for manufacturers as well as government tracking for products entering the
S. 1981 - Small Scale LNG Access Act of 2017
Currently, all exports of natural gas, regardless of quantity, are subject to review and approval by the Department through its regulatory authority under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Applications are made under NGA Section 3(a) for exports of natural gas to non-free trade agreement countries or NGA Section 3(c) for exports of natural gas to free trade agreement countries. This bill amends Section 3(c) to expedite approval of exports of small volumes of natural gas. The effect of this bill would be to have qualifying applications granted automatically, saving several months of review time at a minimum.
This bill appears to be similar to the volume criteria
S. 1336 -
This bill reauthorizes hydropower production and efficiency upgrade incentives established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for an additional 10 years. Hydropower production incentives, which are paid to qualifying hydropower facilities based on the amount of electricity they generate, are reauthorized from 2018 through 2027. Hydropower generation efficiency incentives, which support capital improvements to existing hydropower facilities that increase their efficiency, are likewise reauthorized from 2018 through 2027.
Hydropower has significant capabilities to support economic competitiveness and electricity system reliability by providing low-cost, flexible generation. The recent Staff Report to the Secretary on Electricity Markets and Reliability found that while some hydropower plants are operated as baseload resources, many also support the dynamic behavior of grid operations by providing a full range of ancillary services. This flexibility has historically complemented other traditional forms of baseload generation, such as coal and nuclear.
Conclusion
Our nation will achieve our economic, energy, and environmental goals simultaneously by ensuring
The Department appreciates the ongoing bipartisan efforts to address our nation's energy challenges, and looks forward to working with the Committee on the legislation on today's agenda and any future legislation.
Thank you again for the opportunity to be here today, and I look forward to your questions.
Read this original document at: https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=396B1CF7-F6BE-4D4D-9086-5A8F980E6935
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