Revolutionizing Industry: $6 Billion Investment to Slash Emissions and Create Jobs!

ASHINGTON – The US Department of Energy has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, allocating up to $6 billion across 33 projects spanning more than 20 states. 

The aim is to decarbonize energy-intensive industries and significantly reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions.

During a press briefing prior to the announcement, Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm explained that when factoring in the companies' contributions, the total investment for these projects would reach an impressive $20 billion. 

Granholm emphasized the critical role these projects play in slashing emissions in some of the most significant emitting sectors of the economy, such as iron and steel, aluminum, cement, chemicals, food and beverages, pulp, and paper. 

These industries collectively contribute about a third of the country's CO2 emissions.

Described as the 'largest-ever investment' in decarbonizing industry, these projects are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. 

They are expected to eliminate an estimated 14 million metric tons of pollution annually, which is equivalent to removing approximately 3 million gas-powered cars from the road, according to the Department of Energy.

One of the notable projects is the deployment of a first-of-its-kind zero-carbon aluminum casting plant by Constellium in Ravenswood, West Virginia, with potential federal funding of up to $75 million. Another significant project involves Kraft Heinz, the multinational food company famous for its Mac and Cheese, which will receive up to $170.9 million to upgrade, electrify, and decarbonize food production at 10 facilities nationwide, including in Holland, Michigan.

Granholm highlighted the impact of these initiatives, particularly in reducing emissions from the drying process used in Mac and Cheese production, which produces a substantial amount of emissions. 

The project aims to deploy clean technologies such as heat pumps, electric heaters, and electric boilers to reduce emissions by an impressive 99%.

Granholm also announced her visit to Middletown, Ohio, where she will unveil further details about the projects. 

She will visit Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corp., America’s largest flat-rolled-steel producer, which will be retiring a blast furnace and installing two electric furnaces. 

This project is set to receive up to $500 million in federal funding and is expected to significantly reduce emissions at the facility by 1 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, leading to cleaner water and air for the Middletown community.

One notable aspect of these projects is their focus on disadvantaged communities, as defined by President Joe Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. 

This focus provides a significant opportunity to invest in good jobs and clean air in communities that have experienced years of divestment.

For instance, the Cleveland-Cliffs project is expected to create 170 permanent jobs and 1,200 temporary union construction jobs, while preserving the site’s existing 2,500 jobs, including 2,000 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers.

This investment is a significant step towards achieving cleaner air and creating job opportunities in communities that need them the most.

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