Department of Energy delivers $5.2M for cleaner production efforts among 41 small, medium manufacturers
Through the Industrial Assessment Centers Implementation Grants Program, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced last week that $5.2 million in funding would be split among 41 small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) for energy saving and greenhouse gas emissions reduction improvements.
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden administration effort will provide up to $300,000 per manufacturer to roll out recommendations made by DOE and other qualified energy assessments. The total $5.2 million will also be matched by $11.7 million from recipients themselves.
While this was the first round of envisioned efforts, the program has already reopened for new applicants.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is ensuring our manufacturing sector continues to create good jobs and power our economy, particularly by providing small- and medium-sized firms the resources they need to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs and emissions,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “By helping manufacturing facilities implement cost-effective decarbonization solutions, today’s announcement reinforces DOE’s efforts to strengthen American manufacturing competitiveness for generations to come while tackling the climate crisis.”
According to the DOE, SMMs like these make up more than 90 percent of the nation’s manufacturing base. In this case, support to them will help jumpstart projects such as onsite solar and geothermal pumps, electrify industrial equipment, as well as improve lighting, heating and ventilations, among others.
Going forward, grant applicants will be reviewed quarterly. The current deadline is Dec. 31, 2023.
