author and introduced the Better Energy Storage and Safety (BESS) Act, directing the Department of Energy to conduct research, development, and demonstration activities to improve energy storage safety
Direct the Department of Energy to conduct research, development, and demonstration activities to improve energy storage safety.
Occurrences
Mr. Panetta introduced the Better Energy Storage and Safety Act to amend the Energy Act of 2020 to modify programs and projects with respect to energy storage technology, including expanding research, development, deployment, testing, validation, and demonstration activities to improve the safety of energy storage systems and technologies.
Mr. Panetta (for himself and Mr. Harrigan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Evidence
GovInfo lists H.R. 8706 as introduced in the House on May 7, 2026, by Mr. Panetta and referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; the last action date shown is May 7, 2026.
The bill would amend the Energy Act of 2020 to expand energy-storage R&D, testing, validation, demonstration projects, and safety-focused pilot grant activities, including stress testing and fire mitigation.
GovInfo lists H.R. 8706 as introduced by Rep. Jimmy Panetta on May 7, 2026, referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, with the last action date listed as May 7, 2026.
The introduced bill would amend the Energy Act of 2020 to add DOE-supported testing, validation, demonstration, pilot grant, and authorization language focused on energy storage safety, including failure conditions, thermal runaway, fire and explosion risks, stress testing, and mitigation techniques.
Assessments
Panetta introduced H.R. 8706 on May 7, 2026, and the bill text appears to match the promise by directing DOE-related energy storage safety research, testing, demonstrations, and pilot grants. However, the official record shows only introduction and committee referral, with no enactment or implemented DOE direction yet. Because Panetta is still in federal office and the legislation remains pending rather than failed, the outcome is unresolved, with credit for a serious effort.
Panetta introduced H.R. 8706 to expand DOE energy-storage research, testing, demonstration, and safety activities, which is a direct legislative attempt to advance the claim. The official record shown here only reaches introduction and referral with no enactment or later action, so the promise is not fulfilled on this evidence and remains pending rather than delivered.