Battery Council International (BCI) has released a legislative briefing with recommendations to create jobs, support domestic battery manufacturers, and protect the U.S. economy from unfair foreign competition. Nearly all American businesses depend on batteries, making the industry a crucial economic driver. According to BCI’s 2024 report, the domestic battery sector contributes approximately $8.1 trillion—20% of the U.S. economy—while supporting around 48 million jobs. The briefing emphasizes strengthening supply chains, fostering innovation, and implementing fair trade policies to sustain industry growth and national energy security.
“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,” stated 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,” stated 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.”
