The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a Request For Information (RFI) for a $750 million Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program, a recent release from the department said.
The program, funded by President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeks to encourage small- and medium-sized manufacturers to produce and/or recycle clean energy products. The program will also expand the country's clean energy infrastructure and bolster domestic supply chains, serving Biden's goal of removing carbon from the American economy.
“Transforming existing manufacturing and industrial properties into clean energy and recycling centers is key to making the benefits of renewables — from lower energy costs to job creation and cleaner air — available to communities that have powered America for decades,” Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. secretary of Energy, said in the release. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making it possible for programs like this to further DOE’s strategy to strengthen our nation’s clean energy infrastructure and extend our support for small and medium-sized manufacturers and surrounding coal communities that are critical to reaching our clean energy future.”
The RFI, headed by the DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, will rely on public input regarding how the program can best support strong clean energy supply chains, as well as community development and economic revitalization in communities suffering from coal mine and coal power plant shutterings. Such support includes aiding manufacturers in helping former coal workers transition into clean energy jobs. Applicants must be small- and medium-sized manufacturers that gross less than $100 million in sales per year, employ less than 500 workers and accrue an annual energy bill totaling between $100,000 and $2.5 million.
In a recent tweet, the DOE asked its social media followers to voice their opinions on the program.
"SHARE: Tell us your thoughts on a new $750M Infrastructure Law program that will partner with manufacturers to produce or recycle clean energy products or deploy cutting edge greenhouse gas emissions reduction equipment at facilities in coal communities," the tweet said.
RFI responses must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sept. 16. Applications are not currently open, but those interested can register for a public webinar about the RFI on Aug. 16.
