Vallejo Times-Herald - Bill promotes renewable energy storage

Congressmen Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, and Chris Gibson, R-N.Y., have introduced legislation to give tax breaks for investing in energy storage systems, Thomspon's office announced Thursday.

H.R. 4096, The Storage Technology for Renewable and Green Energy 2012 Act, would provide tax credits to individuals and businesses when they invest in systems that can save excess energy for use during peak demand periods. This reduces electricity bills, enhances the reliability of alternative energy sources, and increases the efficiency and security of the electric grid, Thompson's office said.

A companion bill, S.1845, was introduced in the U.S. Senate last fall by Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Susan Collins, R-Maine.