Why it Matters

As Congress actively considers legislation to reduce foreign battery dependence and boost domestic energy storage, Safire Technology Group’s hiring of Thorn Run Partners significantly expands the defense battery company’s Washington influence. This strategic move adds heavyweight appropriations expertise to Safire’s existing multi-firm strategy. h2>By the Numbers

Since March 2023, Safire has spent $646,000 on lobbying across 31 disclosures. The company currently employs five lobbying firms:

The Safire account is handled by Adrian Smith Jewett, who served in Republican House offices from 2013-2019.

Broader Context

Safire’s expanded lobbying comes as U.S. policymakers push to reduce dependence on Chinese battery technology. The company emerged from Oak Ridge National Laboratory research and focuses on lithium-ion battery safety for defense and automotive markets. As Congress is increasingly concerned about supply chain vulnerabilities in critical technologies, Safire aims to be at the forefront of legislative changes.

The Agenda

Safire is lobbying on Budget/Appropriations, Defense, and Energy/Nuclear issues. Previous efforts targeted specific defense bills, including the National Defense Authorization Act and Defense appropriations measures. The focus centers on lithium-ion battery safety, performance, and clean energy applications.

Competitive Landscape

Safire joins a crowded field of battery technology companies seeking federal support. Competitors include Anthro Energy Inc., Ion Storage Systems Inc., and AEsir Technologies Inc.. System integrators like Chariot Defense Inc. represent potential customers for Safire’s technology.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively considering legislation that could benefit Safire. The Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act would prohibit Chinese battery procurement. The USA Batteries Act eliminates excise taxes on domestic manufacturers.

Key lawmakers are championing these priorities. Sen. Tom Cotton introduced the Securing our Energy Supply Chains Act. Sen. Angus King leads on the Critical Minerals Security Act. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann pushes the FY2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act.

Recent hearings focused on domestic critical mineral supply chains and Defense Department energy needs. The Pentagon spends $5 billion annually on base energy, creating opportunities for advanced battery solutions.

The Bottom Line

Safire’s lobbying expansion positions the company to capitalize on bipartisan support for domestic battery manufacturing. The addition of Thorn Run Partners provides crucial appropriations expertise as Congress considers significant funding for defense energy resilience. Success will depend on competing effectively against numerous other technology companies seeking the same federal support.

All data used in this article came from Legis1. Request a demo to learn more!

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