BCI COMMUNICATIONS — LISA DRY US began to emerge from months of lockdowns, although international visitors were still largely restricted. Towards the end of last year, there was an on-demand, prerecorded webinar posted online for policymakers, followed up last January with another focused on electric vehicles. “As 12V batteries are in almost every EV, this is an important market for us, so the webinar and materials we created were designed to ensure that story was told,” says Dry. She acknowledges that policymakers are “almost always surprised” when first learning about the crucial role lead batteries play in keeping most EV’s rolling. “In the US Congress, like other such bodies, people are often not experts in a particular subject because they are working on such a wide range of topics. That is why they need the information we provide. If you’re a representative or senator, you probably only have a bit of knowledge about many things.” Dry says the organization’s expansive communications toolkit helps to open the door and inform conversations with officials about the need for batteries in the country’s future energy mix. “I know from Roger Miksad and our people and lobbyists who work directly with organizations, such as the Department of Energy and the
A very reasonable proposition: if you’re a representative or senator, you probably only have a bit of knowledge about many things not sometimes the depths needed
Department of Defense, that they find a lot of value in our material,” she says. “Officials within the federal corridors of power have also let it be known that they enjoy working with the lead battery industry in particular, because we work cohesively as a group — whereas with some of the other battery chemistries it’s a case of every person for themselves.” So, what does the communications
“It’s a wonderful story to tell, it’s a great American story, it’s a great manufacturing story and it’s a sustainable energy story too. It’s also a story of our great battery manufacturer and recycling members who provide green jobs in support of their local communities and the wider country”
Lisa Dry on USS Midway with other BCI staff at the last convention 14 • Batteries International • BCI 2022 Yearbook
calendar for the year ahead look like after the BCI team and delegates pack up and move on from Naples? “There will certainly be more webinars and more material in support of the lobbyists and for our meetings with legislators,” Dry says. “As long as the government maintains its interest in electric transformation, whether for the transportation or energy storage sectors, over the months ahead, we’ll be continuing to create materials that meet that need and help to tell the story of how we have a role to play.” “We are also working on some new reports to highlight the positive impact the lead battery industry has on the economy.” Additionally, Dry says BCI will continue to promote the value of “our amazing, closed recycling system and how the lead battery industry has the benefit of an almost solely-domestic supply chain”. “It’s a wonderful story to tell, it’s a great American story, it’s a great manufacturing story and it’s a sustainable energy story too. It’s also a story of our great battery manufacturer and recycling members who provide green jobs in support of their local communities and the wider country.” “This is a special industry, where we all work closely together and one where even competitors enjoy catching up and hanging out together, which is why we are all excited to get back together once more and to welcome our international visitors after a two year absence.” www.batteriesinternational.com
