US Energy Dept. announces billions for projects to cut industrial emissions

The industrial sector in the United States is reportedly responsible for a fourth of the country’s emissions. Now, the Biden administration is spending the largest amount ever on industrial decarbonization projects to fight climate change.

The Department of Energy announced it is putting $6 billion in federal funds toward efforts to eliminate up to 14 million metric tons of industrial pollution annually, the equivalent of taking about 3 million gas-powered vehicles off of the road, according to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

The funding for the projects reportedly comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The $6 billion will consist of 33 projects across 20 states. The companies involved range from producers of iron, steel, aluminum, concrete, cement and food and beverage.

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For example, one plan involves setting up a zero-carbon aluminum casting plant in West Virginia, using low-emission furnaces that are reportedly powered by hydrogen. The company that was awarded the funding uses aluminum to produce things like cars and planes.

Funding from the Energy Department will also be used for projects like replacing two electric furnaces. This particular project alone is expected to eliminate 1 million tons of greenhouse gases each year.

Another project at a cement plant in Indiana is getting money for an underground carbon capture facility, which will reportedly keep 2 million tons of CO2 from escaping into the Earth’s atmosphere each year.

The Biden administration claims the $6 billion plan will do more than cut emissions, it will also create and support union jobs, giving a charge to U.S. competitiveness.

The U.S. aluminum industry has fallen behind other countries in recent years. In 2000, the U.S. was reportedly the No. 1 producer of aluminum. Now, it’s reportedly ninth in production of aluminum.

The ultimate goal for the aluminum companies participating in these projects is to shift production to 100% clean energy.