The Department of Energy is seeking industry feedback on a new program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance the development and commercialization of critical materials needed to manufacture clean energy technologies.
The Biden administration is allocating $675 million for the Critical Materials Research, Development, Demonstration and Commercialization Program to address challenges in the domestic critical materials supply chain and advance the local sourcing and production of critical materials, DOE said Tuesday.
According to the department, critical materials, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare-earth elements, are required to produce batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines and other clean energy technologies.
The program will support DOE’s efforts to expand the critical materials supply chain, including through fundamental research and development initiatives, public-private partnerships and technology demonstration projects.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supporting DOE’s effort to invest in the building blocks of clean energy technologies, which will revitalize America’s manufacturing leadership and bring along the benefits of good paying jobs,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
Industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies and other organizations are encouraged to respond to the request for information on the new program. Responses are due Sept. 9.
