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H.R.2986 / 116th Congress

BEST Act

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 379.

Official summary

Version 07 · Reported to House · Aug 7, 2020

Better Energy Storage Technology Act or the BEST Act

This bill addresses grid-scale energy storage systems.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to

establish a research and development program for energy storage systems, components, and materials across multiple program offices of DOE, including analyzing the need for various types of energy storage to improve electric grid resilience and reliability;

develop a five-year strategic plan that identifies research, development, demonstration, and commercial application goals for the program;

support the standardized testing and validation of energy storage systems under the program through collaboration with one or more National Laboratories;

provide technical assistance for commercial application of energy storage technologies to eligible entities;

create a competitive grant program for the demonstration of energy storage systems that use either a single system or aggregations of multiple systems; and

establish a research, development, and demonstration program of recycling of energy storage systems containing critical minerals.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] · D–IL

Committees

  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
102 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 379.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 116-472.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 116-472.

  4. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  5. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  6. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

  7. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  8. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

  9. Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

  10. Introduced in House

  11. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2986 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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