S.T.O.R.A.G.E. Act

To provide for the consideration of energy storage systems by electric utilities as part of a supply side resource process, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act S.T.O.R.A.G.E. Act 2. Consideration of energy storage systems (a) In general Section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2621(d) (20) Consideration of energy storage systems Each State shall consider requiring that, as part of a supply side resource planning process, an electric utility of the State demonstrate to the State that the electric utility considered an investment in energy storage systems based on appropriate factors, including— (A) total costs and normalized life cycle costs; (B) cost effectiveness; (C) improved reliability; (D) security; and (E) system performance and efficiency. . (b) Time limitations Section 112(b) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2622(b) (7) (A) Not later than 1 year after enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State regulatory authority has ratemaking authority) and each nonregulated utility shall commence the consideration referred to in section 111, or set a hearing date for consideration, with respect to the standard established by paragraph (20) of section 111(d). (B) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State regulatory authority has ratemaking authority), and each nonregulated electric utility, shall complete the consideration, and shall make the determination, referred to in section 111 with respect to the standard established by paragraph (20) of section 111(d). . (c) Failure To comply Section 112(c) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2622(c) In the case of the standard established by paragraph (20) of section 111(d), the reference contained in this subsection to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of that paragraph. (d) Prior state actions Section 112(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2622(d) (19) (20) 3. Coordination of programs To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Energy shall ensure that the funding and administration of the different offices within the Grid Modernization Initiative of the Department of Energy and other programs conducting energy storage research are coordinated and streamlined.

Summary: Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act or the S.T.O.R.A.G.E. Act This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add energy storage systems to the list of strategies states should consider when developing energy plans and using its utility ratemaking authority. States are encouraged to analyze whether energy storage systems benefit their efforts to promote energy conservation and the greater use of domestic energy. To further encourage the development of programs relating to energy storage, the Department of Energy (DOE) must streamline and coordinate efforts among various existing programs conducting energy storage research at DOE to maximize efficiency of its funds and expand vital research.