Department of Energy announces $425 million available to coal-impacted areas
The program will support small and medium-sized manufacturers that are focused on producing and recycling clean energy products, as well as investing in decarbonization at their facilities.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Friday $425 million in funding to reduce industrial emissions and advance clean energy manufacturing essential to the U.S. energy supply chain.
Funded by the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” and managed by the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, the Advanced Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program will support small and medium-sized manufacturers in current and former coal communities that are focused on producing and recycling clean energy products, as well as investing in decarbonization at their facilities. This opportunity builds on a successful first round of investments in 2023, representing $275 million of federal dollars awarded to seven selected projects in seven states.
In this second round, DOE will prioritize two investment themes or “areas of interest”: (1) Clean Energy Manufacturing and Recycling, which was funded during the first round of the program; and (2) Industrial Decarbonization. Applications for Clean Energy Manufacturing and Recycling should aim to establish, re-equip, or expand an existing manufacturing or recycling facility for the production or recycling of advanced energy. Industrial Decarbonization, which is a new area of interest for the second round of the program, is focused on building or upgrading manufacturing facilities to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create low carbon materials.
Projects under this funding program, across either area of interest, must occur in communities where coal mines have closed since December 31, 1999, or coal-fired power plants have closed since December 31, 2009. A mapping tool showing eligible communities under the program is available here.
To help those with interest gain more insights, DOE will hold an informational webinar at 3:30 p.m. EDT on March 14, and those interested can register here. Concept papers, which are required, are due by 5 p.m. EDT on April 8, and full applications are due at 5 p.m. EDT June 24.
