Washington: In an impactful move, the Energy Department made a groundbreaking announcement on Monday, unveiling a whopping $6 billion investment across 33 projects spanning over 20 states. The aim? To spearhead efforts in decarbonizing energy-intensive industries and curbing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm, speaking to reporters in a pre-announcement briefing, revealed that when considering the companies’ contributions to these projects, the total investment for this initiative would soar to a staggering $20 billion. It’s a bold step towards reshaping the industrial landscape and steering it towards sustainability.
Granholm emphasized the significance of these projects, highlighting their potential to dramatically reduce emissions in some of the most carbon-intensive sectors of our economy. From iron and steel to aluminum, cement, concrete, chemicals, food and beverages, pulp and paper industries, these initiatives target sectors accounting for roughly a third of our carbon dioxide emissions and carbon footprint.
This investment isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about fostering innovation, driving progress, and paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come. It’s a testament to the power of collective action and the determination to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change.
Touted as the most extensive endeavor to date in the realm of decarbonizing industry, the initiatives, backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, are slated to eradicate a staggering 14 million metric tons of pollution annually, as per the Department of Energy’s estimations.
Secretary Granholm underscored the magnitude of this achievement, drawing a parallel to the removal of approximately 3 million gas-powered cars from the roads
In Ravenswood, West Virginia, Constellium, a manufacturer specializing in aluminum products, is gearing up to pioneer an innovative zero-carbon aluminum casting plant. With the potential to receive up to $75 million in federal funding, this groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize the production process. The aluminum rolling facility, among the largest globally, serves key sectors such as aerospace, defense, marine, and transportation, contributing to various industries’ advancement.
Meanwhile, Kraft Heinz, the renowned multinational food company renowned for its iconic Mac and Cheese, is set to receive up to $170.9 million. This funding will facilitate the upgrade, electrification, and decarbonization of food production across 10 facilities nationwide, including those in Holland, Michigan. This transformative investment underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability while ensuring the continued supply of beloved food products to consumers across the country.
Granholm highlighted the substantial emissions generated during the macaroni drying process, emphasizing the significant heat required. To address this, the project will implement cutting-edge clean technologies such as heat pumps, electric heaters, and boilers. These innovations are projected to reduce emissions by an impressive 99%.
The Energy Secretary is scheduled to unveil this initiative during a visit to Middletown, Ohio, on Monday. Her itinerary includes a stop at Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corp., the largest flat-rolled-steel producer in the United States. Here, the company plans to retire a blast furnace and install two electric furnaces. This ambitious project is set to receive federal funding of up to $500 million.
“This will result in a remarkable reduction of 1 million tons of greenhouse gases annually at the facility, leading to cleaner water and air for the Middletown community,” she remarked.
The Department highlights that nearly 80% of the projects are situated in disadvantaged communities, in accordance with President Joe Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. This presents a significant opportunity to invest in both quality employment opportunities and cleaner air, particularly in communities that have long endured neglect and disinvestment.
credits:www.usatoday.co