The United States reportedly announced a $428 million grant on Tuesday to build or expand battery manufacturing and recycling plants, as well as other clean energy manufacturing in communities that have been severely impacted by the closure of coal mines and power plants.
This is also supported by the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, in line with the country’s efforts to reduce coal burning for electricity generation in order to combat climate change.
As quoted from Reuters.com, U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk told reporters that these are communities that have powered America for decades, and the Biden-Harris administration believes they are the right people to lead the clean energy transition for decades to come.
The project spans 12 states including Kentucky, Utah, West Virginia, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Turk also mentioned that the grant, funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, will attract around another $500 million from the private sector and create more than 1,900 high-paying jobs.
One project in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania will receive over $87 million for Mainspring Energy to produce 1,000 linear generators per year. This technology is designed to support utilities, data centers, and microgrids, and can generate electricity from burning natural gas, hydrogen, and biogas or gas generated from livestock manure.
Another project called Sparkz Inc in Bridgeport, West Virginia, will receive $9.8 million to create the first battery-grade iron phosphate plant in the United States.
