U.S. Battery Industry Asks Congress to Defend Domestic Supply Chains

Battery Council International's policy recommendations would aid domestic manufacturers with 125+ years of operation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Battery Council International (BCI) has published a briefing for legislators that provides recommendations to create jobs, support domestic battery manufacturers, and defend the domestic economy from unfair foreign competition.

Nearly all American businesses rely on batteries in their everyday operations. A 2024 BCI report estimates the domestic battery industry directly supports $8.1 trillion in economic output, or roughly 20% of the U.S. economy, with some 48 million jobs dependent on batteries.

"We are at a critical juncture for energy storage, with new innovations and steadily rising demand along with intense competition and a concentration of key minerals in the hands of foreign nations," said BCI President and Executive Director Roger Miksad. "Maintaining a strong domestic industrial base for U.S. battery supply chains is critical to the American economy, as well as national security."

U.S. battery companies have a 125+ year track record of delivering reliable energy storage and are a critical part of the domestic economy. In its briefing document, "THE U.S. DOMESTIC BATTERY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: Producers of Industrial and Automotive Starter Batteries," BCI and its members are asking Congress to protect the nation's energy storage infrastructure through five specific policy actions in three key areas:

Manufacturing

1.  Maintain Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Provision - Ensure the existing Section 45 provision remains in place as a tool for domestic battery manufacturers to protect and grow their operations.
2.  Remove Tax Penalties for Domestic Battery Production - Eliminate punitive excise taxes on strategic battery raw materials to support domestic battery manufacturing by passing the USA Batteries Act

Department of Energy

3.  Support Key DOE Programs – Certain programs help spur innovation and growth in domestic battery technologies, including research and development as well as partnership with national laboratories.

Safety

4.  Set Workplace OSHA Regulations Based on Real-World Results - Increase collaboration between the Department of Labor and BCI experts to develop workplace safety regulations that are feasible and based on the best available real-world data.
5.  Keep Workers Safe and Protect Domestic Supply Chains - Support the EPA's labeling initiative to facilitate collection and sorting improvements for safer battery recycling

"Domestic manufacturers ensure U.S. battery demand can be met reliably, safely, and with domestic production sources," said BCI's Roger Miksad. "The modern economy simply can't run without reliable energy storage, and BCI's policy recommendations will ensure U.S. supply chains remain strong and independent for many years to come."

Download the full report here.

About BCI

Battery Council International (BCI) is the leading trade association representing the global battery industry and is the premier authority on energy storage solutions. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, BCI advocates and educates on behalf of battery manufacturers and recyclers, marketers and retailers, suppliers of raw materials and equipment, and battery distributors. With a unified voice, BCI conveys an industry-wide commitment to sustainability, safety and science. The organization continues to unite members within the battery industry to successfully communicate and protect through education, science and advocacy efforts the most successful circular economy on the planet. With 99% of used lead batteries collected and recycled in the U.S. and the typical new lead battery containing 80% or more of recycled materials, BCI supports the path toward similar sustainability goals for all other battery chemistries. For more information, visit www.batterycouncil.org.

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SOURCE Battery Council International