Big changes could be coming to the country's electric grid as Congress begins debating the first major energy bill in eight years.
"It's really about preparing us for the future," said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash).
Cantwell said the nation needs a more resilient electric grid that includes renewable power from solar panels, wind farms, and hydroelectric dams, and a way to store that power.
"Part of that is figuring out how you can store some of that energy and use it in the off hours," Cantwell said.
Just as Tesla is developing batteries for homeowners to store renewable energy, Cantwell said the government should invest in research and development for large-scale energy storage.
That's one part of a sweeping energy bill the Washington Democrat is co-sponsoring with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
The bipartisan bill focuses on improving and securing the electric grid and making buildings more energy-efficient.
The bill also supports exports of liquefied natural gas.
Environmental groups have criticized the bill for not directly taking on climate change.
"We would certainly like to do more, but the process of bipartisan legislation only gives you so much you can do," Cantwell said.
Cox Media Group
