Committee expands energy‑storage task force charge, delays funding decision and assigns Senate chair

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee amended and advanced a bill creating a task force to study energy storage. Committee members added a study element to evaluate an indexing storage‑credit model intended to incentivize storage market development and extended the task force’s reporting schedule to reduce near‑term funding pressures.

Sponsors removed a $250,000 funding line from the bill after committee members and agency staff said that the renewable energy fund that once supported similar work may be unavailable. The amendment extended the task force’s timeline to produce an interim report in December and a final report in June — language sponsors said would lessen immediate consultant needs and allow the Department of Energy and interested parties to contribute without a dedicated appropriation.

Committee members also raised concerns about the task force’s membership and meeting procedures. Several senators asked that the first meeting be called by a senator because the bill designates two House members and a single senator; the committee adopted a committee amendment making the first meeting convened by the Senate member. The change was adopted as a committee amendment and the bill was moved out “as amended.”

During debate, one senator asked whether the task force should include more senators and said the body should coordinate with the House when joint commissions are proposed. Sponsors said they would consider membership balance when the bill reaches the other chamber.

Why it matters: The indexing storage‑credit study and the task force’s recommendations could influence future incentives, pilot programs and utility planning for batteries and other storage technologies.

Next steps: Sponsor and agency staff will coordinate on the task force scope and membership and incorporate any needed edits before floor consideration; interim and final reports are scheduled under the amended timeline.