March 11, 2021: Battery Council International has written to Jennifer Granholm to congratulate her on the February 25 confirmation of her appointment as US secretary of energy in the new Biden administration. BCI took the opportunity to put forward a strong case for lead batteries, saying their record was unmatched and they remained the battery of choice for innumerable applications.
Granholm is the second woman and 16th person to head up the Department of Energy as it attempts to reach a net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, ‘advancing cutting-edge clean energy technologies, creating millions of good-paying union clean energy jobs, and building an equitable clean energy future’, the DOE says.
The three-page letter and attachments, signed by BCI executive vice president and general counsel Roger Miksad, stresses the important role lead batteries can play in the nation’s ‘energy transformation’, claiming they are critical to the American economy as it moves into a decarbonized future.
“Unlike other battery chemistries that are manufactured overseas or rely on imported materials, the US lead battery recycling industry supplies 73% of the lead needed by the US lead battery manufacturers, who in turn manufacture an estimated 90% of the lead batteries sold here,” the letter says.
“Lead batteries’ continued market growth is proof of the industry’s ability to meet changing needs. That will continue well into the future as the economy moves to more diversified energy needs and increased electrification.”
BCI talks about the work being done with the DOE and Argonne National Laboratory, mentioning more than eight research projects taking place which are in part being funded by BCI members.
“Through BCI, the lead battery industry is also coordinating at least 14 separate pre-competitive work area proposals for consideration by DOE as the agency launches the Energy Storage Grand Challenge research programs. Each of those work areas could identify several revolutionary research programs.
“BCI will be engaging with the relevant DOE staff in the coming months to ensure that those work area proposals align with DOE’s goals and needs, and to ensure that the US lead battery industry is prepared to fully engage in the battery research needed to ensure America’s leadership in energy storage for the next generation.”
Granholm was the first woman governor of Michigan, holding the post for two terms from 2003 to 2011.
