As we go to publication, the US’ president Donald Trump is refusing to concede the country’s election to Joe Biden despite all projections claiming victory for the latter. But was does the result mean for the US?
President-elect Biden is due to reverse Trump’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement in 2017, and has pledged to invest $400 billion over ten years in clean energy and innovation.
Time will also see if oil and gas supporters that Trump installed into his administration— like former Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt and one-time ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson— are removed.
Biden wants the US to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050, which will include milestone targets, investment and incentives.
Biden has also spoken of batteries during his campaign, and specifically grid-scale storage.
But what does the battery and energy storage sector think of Biden becoming president-elect?
George Kerchner executive director of The Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) believes it is a great opportunity to work on legislative and regulatory issues that could impact industries involved with the manufacturing, use, transport, and recycling of batteries.
He told BEST: “On Capitol Hill, PRBA supports expected legislation by the Biden Administration that would provide additional tax credit benefits for electric vehicles and renewable energy often powered by lithium batteries. We are also monitoring possible legislation that would address battery collection and recycling, although federal mandates are unlikely.
“Also, the FAA reauthorisation bill likely in 2021 may include provisions that could impact the air transport of lithium batteries.
“PRBA also foresees more regulatory action that could directly or indirectly impact lithium batteries from federal agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.”
PRBA remains committed to calling for more stringent enforcement of existing lithium battery air transport regulations, including significant fines and criminal penalties, to enhance the safe transport of these batteries.
Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO of the U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) said: “By electing Joe Biden as president of the United States of America, Americans have sent the signal to accelerate the path forward toward a clean energy economy.
“We expect to see strong support from the new Administration focused on decarbonisation of the electric and transportation sectors, which will further drive the deployment of energy storage.
“We look forward to working with the Biden Administration and Congressional members to continue our bipartisan efforts to advance our vision of 100GW by 2030, creating a more resilient, efficient, sustainable, and affordable electricity grid.”
