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Introducing ...
The Coalition to Advance Renewable Energy through Bulk Storage (CAREBS)
August 31, 2009

Astute industry observers have long advocated a greater role for bulk energy storage (BES) to more effectively manage the nation’s electricity infrastructure. With the heightened emphasis in Washington on renewable energy and a modernized electricity grid, bulk energy storage has surfaced as a critical dimension of the legislative process, evidenced by (1) statements of support from DOE Secretary Dr. Chu, (2) stimulus funding specifically targeted towards bulk storage, (3) Congressional initiatives such as the Wyden Bill, and (3) new activities at the national labs, FERC, and industry associations. In short, there’s growing recognition in all quarters that renewable energy goals will be met only at great sacrifice in performance of the electricity infrastructure without a complementary program to develop BES.

Formation

The Coalition to Advance Renewable Energy through Bulk Storage (CAREBS) was formed in April to provide vigorous support for bulk storage in Washington. Founding members of CAREBS include Haddington Ventures LLC, Dresser Rand Corp, and individual bulk storage projects Norton Energy Storage (Ohio), Magnum Energy Storage (Utah), and Texas CAES. Pioneering members of the coalition include the Iowa Stored Energy Project and we expect at least one other major developer of CAES projects to sign on within a few weeks. King and Spalding LLP provide counsel and Washington DC policy representation to CAREBS. Pearl Street Inc consults on long-term planning and strategy.

Mission

CAREBS’ mission is to promote federal policies and legislation that accelerate the development of new BES facilities that will create a more efficient and reliable electrical energy grid and enhance the contributions made by new sources of renewable energy. Although the definition can change as more options make economic sense, today BES is defined by CAREBS as compressed air energy storage (CAES) and pumped hydroelectric storage (PHS).

Membership and Commitments

With several classes of membership available, CAREBS is open to all organizations committed to encouraging the development and use of BES. Members can choose active or passive roles in legislative and administration activities. A teleconference meeting of Charter members and counsel is held weekly to discuss and update current activities. A monthly teleconference call is available for associate and affiliate members. CAREBS members are expected to interact with their respective elected officials who impact their projects and activities, as well as national policies that affect BES; attend meetings in DC when appropriate, and especially when elected officials from their respective states are directly involved in legislative activities; and provide input and comment on the weekly agenda items.

Achievements to Date

Despite being formed only a few months ago, CAREBS has been actively commenting on various DOE funding opportunity notices (FOA) involving bulk storage; advocated for the 30% investment tax credit (ITC – as per rules for renewable energy in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) applied to BES facilities; articulated the reliability and market support benefits of BES before FERC; rallied support for the Wyden Energy Storage Bill in Congress to create an energy storage investment tax credit; prepared and presented the economic development characteristics of BES; created dialogues with like-minded stakeholders, especially the National Hydropower Assn; obtained letters of Congressional support for specific projects; arranged tours of operating CAES facilities, new project sites, and equipment manufacturing facilities; and initiated alliances with state-level storage coalitions. We hold on-going briefings with federal legislators, administration representatives, like-minded stakeholders, and environmental organizations. We are also active in industry events involving storage, transmission, Smart Grid, and electricity markets.

Contacts

To review our statement of operating principals and membership documents and membership fee schedule, or for more information, please contact Jason Makansi, Pearl Street Inc [jmakansi@pearlstreetinc.com, 314-495-4545], Allison Kassir, King and Spalding [akassir@kslaw.com, 202-626-5600], or David Marchese, Haddington Ventures LLC [dmarchese@hvllc.com, 713-532-7992 ext 107, 832-443-7957].

Source: CAREBS