US Unveils Battery Strategy in West Virginia to Ease Coal Loss
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Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Sen. Joe Manchin on March 18 announced a program to develop lithium batteries in the U.S. as part of a broader strategy to help Appalachia amid a transition from coal.
Lithium-based batteries are critical components of electric vehicles, grid storage and weapons, but the U.S. relies on international markets for the processing of most raw materials, according to the Energy Department.
The department is promoting a plan to support a domestic battery supply chain — from critical minerals mining to manufacturing and recycling. DOE also announced $5 million in funding for pilot projects for workers in communities where energy and automotive industries once held sway.
Today, IWG, @WhiteHouse federal agencies, state leaders and partner industries announced investments for Appalachia. The new funding ensures #EnergyCommunities remain competitive with infrastructure projects and workforce development/training strategies. pic.twitter.com/utGewlUZn5 — EnergyCommunities (@EnergyComm_US) March 18, 2022
“American leadership in the global battery supply chain will be based not only on our innovative edge, but also on our skilled workforce of engineers, designers, scientists and production workers,” Granholm said in a statement. President Joe Biden “has a vision for achieving net-zero emissions while creating millions of good paying, union jobs — and DOE’s battery partnerships with labor and industry are key to making that vision a reality.”
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As part of the initiative, Energy Department officials, representatives of the AFL-CIO and the United Mine Workers of America and executives of Sparkz Inc., a battery manufacturer that is developing a cobalt-free battery technology in Knoxville, Tenn., met March 18 at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston, W.Va.
The company said in a statement after the meeting it plans to begin construction this year of a “Gigafactory” in West Virginia to commercialize their zero-cobalt battery that will initially employ 350 workers.
Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat and longtime champion of the state’s coal industry, has been a crucial factor in the advancement, or lack of it, of Biden’s economic and climate agenda.
.@ENERGY is committed to continuing our collaboration with local + state partners to drive our clean energy transition & invest in hard-hit communities. These investments will provide good-paying, union jobs & boost local economies. Our clean energy future includes everyone! pic.twitter.com/NaHbtyWOIN — Secretary Jennifer Granholm (@SecGranholm) March 18, 2022
“While I remain concerned about our dependence on China and other foreign countries for key parts of the lithium-ion battery supply chain, engaging our strong and capable workforce to manufacture batteries domestically is a critical step toward reducing our reliance on other countries and ensuring we are able to maintain our energy security,” Manchin said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing this initiative grow, and we will continue to work closely together to ensure we can onshore the rest of the battery supply chain.”
