Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
nbarnes@electrificationcoalition.org, (202) 461-2371
WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, President Biden announced the first round of funding awards by the Department of Energy (DOE) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The awards will expand battery manufacturing capacity and minerals processing facilities in the U.S., increasing the supply of EV batteries and improving the long-term success of EV adoption.
In response, Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka released the following statement:
“Today is another critical step to ensuring that in the U.S., we will not only drive electric, we will also create a robust U.S. supply chain to build electric. As we accelerate the shift to EVs, we must accelerate the growth of the U.S. manufacturing and industrial base, with electrification ushering in new minerals-based economic opportunities. Not only will we see new jobs from these announcements today, but also the ability for the U.S. automotive sector to have secure, robust and reliable access to the minerals and batteries needed to meet current and future EV demand. With these awards, the U.S. is stepping back into a leadership position with all aspects of the EV market and is ready to outcompete China.
“We are also greatly pleased to see that the awarded projects focus on involving the local community and contribute meaningfully to the equity goals under the Justice40 Initiative from the Biden administration. As we move to this new minerals-based economy, we must do so with manufacturing solutions that work for everyone and ensure that we do not trade one form of pollution for another.
“For decades, we have purchased oil from countries that do not share our values, exposing consumers and businesses to volatile gas and diesel prices. EVs are fueled by electricity that is produced domestically from diverse sources, keeping our energy dollars here at home and supporting our national economy. From Ohio to North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada and more, these projects support a secure EV future.”
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition (EC) is a national advocacy organization accelerating transportation electrification to reduce the monopoly oil has on our transportation and the associated national security risks. The EC drives adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for consumers, freight, private sector fleets, and public sector fleets through policy advocacy and programs at the federal, state, and local levels. We work with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, from engaging with federal and state legislators on policy to collaborating with cities and businesses on electrifying buses and trucks, among many other activities. The EC is at the forefront of the urgent national shift to electric transportation. electrificationcoalition.org