U.S. Department of Energy Announces $6 Billion Investment to Decarbonize Energy-Intensive Industries
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $6 billion for 33 projects across more than 20 states to decarbonize energy-intensive industries, reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions, support good-paying union jobs, revitalize industrial communities, and strengthen the nation’s manufacturing competitiveness. Funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the projects will create and maintain tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and help accelerate the commercial-scale demonstration of emerging industrial decarbonization technologies crucial to meeting the Biden-Harris administration’s climate and domestic manufacturing goals.
Focus on Sustainable Development Goals
The projects align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. They aim to address SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Decarbonizing Energy- and Emissions-Intensive Industries
The projects will focus on the highest emitting industries where decarbonization technologies will have the greatest impact, including aluminum and other metals, cement and concrete, chemicals and refining, iron and steel, and more. Together, the projects are expected to reduce the equivalent of more than 14 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year—an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 3 million gasoline-powered cars. Many of the projects will deploy first-in-the-nation emissions-reducing technologies that have the potential for sector-wide adoption and transformation, multiplying the magnitude of the emissions cuts and supporting the future of U.S. manufacturing. Today’s announcement is the largest investment in industrial decarbonization in American history, helping to position American manufacturers and workers to lead the global clean energy economy.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm’s Statement
“Spurring on the next generation of decarbonization technologies in key industries like steel, paper, concrete, and glass will keep America the most competitive nation on Earth,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Thanks to President Biden’s industrial strategy, DOE is making the largest investment in industrial decarbonization in the history of the United States. These investments will slash emissions from these difficult-to-decarbonize sectors and ensure American businesses and American workers remain at the forefront of the global economy.”
Laying the Foundation of an Inclusive Clean Energy Future
The Biden-Harris administration is dedicated to working in partnership with communities and industries to build an equitable clean energy economy that benefits every American. As part of the Administration’s commitments to invest in America’s workforce, support high-quality American jobs, advance environmental and energy justice, and strengthen tribal energy sovereignty, each project was required to develop and ultimately implement a comprehensive Community Benefits Plan—which will be informed by early and meaningful community and labor engagements in each region. Applicants were required to describe how their proposals would provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people in a facility’s location, recognizing the opportunity this funding provides to address pollution for those disproportionately affected by industrial sector emissions and begin remediating existing social, economic, and health burdens.
Conclusion
The $6 billion investment by the U.S. Department of Energy in decarbonizing energy-intensive industries is a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change. By supporting the development and implementation of innovative decarbonization technologies, the projects will contribute to SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 17. Additionally, the investment will create high-quality jobs, revitalize industrial communities, and strengthen the nation’s manufacturing competitiveness, aligning with the Biden-Harris administration’s goals of building an inclusive clean energy future.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the promotion of clean energy technologies. These issues are directly connected to SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The article also highlights the investment in industrial competitiveness and the revitalization of industrial communities, which align with SDG 9. Additionally, the focus on reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change relates to SDG 13. The mention of partnerships and collaboration between the government, industries, and communities reflects SDG 17.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
- SDG 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.
The targets identified in the article align with the SDGs mentioned above. The focus on decarbonizing energy-intensive industries and reducing greenhouse gas emissions contributes to SDG 7.2. The investment in industrial decarbonization technologies and the aim to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness align with SDG 9.4. The emphasis on revitalizing industrial communities and promoting clean air corresponds to SDG 11.6. The commitment to addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions supports SDG 13.2. Lastly, the collaboration between different stakeholders, including government, industries, and communities, reflects SDG 17.17.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
- Number of high-quality jobs created
- Amount of renewable energy integrated into the energy mix
- Number of industrial facilities retrofitted for sustainability
- Improvement in air quality in industrial communities
The article mentions that the selected projects are expected to reduce more than 14 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. This reduction in emissions can serve as an indicator of progress towards the targets related to decarbonization and climate action. The article also highlights the creation and maintenance of tens of thousands of high-quality jobs, which can be used as an indicator of progress towards the target of promoting sustainable economic growth and decent work (SDG 8). Additionally, the integration of renewable energy into the energy mix and the retrofitting of industrial facilities for sustainability can be measured to track progress towards the relevant targets under SDG 7 and SDG 9. The improvement in air quality in industrial communities can be monitored to assess progress towards the target of reducing the environmental impact of cities (SDG 11).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2 Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Amount of renewable energy integrated into the energy mix. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4 Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. | Number of industrial facilities retrofitted for sustainability. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6 Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management. | Improvement in air quality in industrial communities. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships. | N/A |
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Source: energy.gov
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