Background

NASEO, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office, is working with State Energy Offices to identify, develop, and enhance resources to help manufacturing industries meet their goals and state objectives for economic development and competitiveness, emissions reduction and environmental protection, and energy reliability, resilience, and security.

This work includes both (1) helping existing industrial facilities through technical and business assistance; and (2) accelerating development and deployment of new technologies and industries. The scope includes manufacturing and related industrial activities (e.g., mining, water and wastewater treatment) broadly as well as manufacture of clean energy products (such as PVs, EVs, batteries, electrolyzers, carbon capture and utilization, high-efficiency products, controls, and clean fuels)

NASEO operates a State Industrial Working Group with interested states to advance these goals and engages with relevant programs and resources across agencies, organizations, and industries. Please contact industry@naseo.org or Rodney Sobin (rsobin@naseo.org) or Sam Cramer (scramer@naseo.org) with any questions about this initiative and to join the Working Group.

  • New, Recent, Upcoming

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    • U.S. DOE Announces $3 Million to Support Industrial Decarbonization Workforce – DOE’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) and the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) announced $3 million for a new Industrial Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, and Decarbonization (ISEED) Collaborative that will assist partners across the manufacturing sector to develop and disseminate instructional curricula and training programs focused on industrial sustainability, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. The resources will be available for workers at any level of training and education to help them build their skills and knowledge. IEDO solicits proposals from organizations with experience and networks in industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization; industrial heat electrification and hydrogen production; and low-carbon fuels, feedstocks, and energy sources. Applications are due on Nov. 1, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET. IEDO will hold an informational webinar on Oct. 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET and informational office hours on Oct. 23, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. Please visit the CONNECTWERX website to register for both events and learn more about how to submit a proposal.  

    • NASEO Industrial Working Groups Forum: Industrial Heat Electrification and Storage - August 28, 2024: Industrial heating, which now often relies on onsite fuel combustion, is a major challenge to decarbonizing industrial processes. Arun Gupta, Founder and CEO of Skyven Technologies discussed steam-generating heat pump implementation for industrial customers (presentation). Caroline Jo, Vice President of Project Finance and Government Affairs at Rondo Energy presented on the Rondo Heat Battery that can provide 24/7 industrial heat while supporting load management and grid reliability (presentation). The speakers included discussion of business and financing models, including energy-, heat-, and storage-as-a-service business approaches. Recording available here

    • Industrial Heat Pump (IHP) Alliance is an initiative of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC) to assist stakeholders interested in implementing IHPs by offering guidance, resources, and support. 

    • NASEO Response to DOE Request for Information on Transforming Industry – Strategies for Decarbonization (June 2024)

    • DOE MESC announces $50M for six states (MI, OH, IN, KY, TN, IL) with significant automotive workforces to help small- and medium-sized suppliers adapt manufacturing facilities for the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain; applications due October 15, 2024, 5:00 pm ET.

      • DOE also announced $1.5 million for three teams of technical assistance providers under the Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) program. The teams—led by the Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and the Trustees of the University of Illinois—will help create and refine a Small Supplier EV Transition Playbook, in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, to help internal combustion engine suppliers navigate the transition of their business model to EV or adjacent markets.
    • DOE New Funding Opportunity for Smart Manufacturing and Recycling Tactics for States (SMART) Grant Program – DOE MESC issued a FOA for up to $63 million in grants to states and local governments to (1) create or expand battery collection, recycling, and reprocessing programs ($41 million) and (2) establish or expand programs to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers to access smart manufacturing technologies and practices. The full FOA and related information can be found here, including the registration link to an informational webinar to be held on August 6, 2024, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.ET. Concept papers are not required; full applications are due September 16, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.

    • DOE Webinar: Programs for Smart Manufacturing and Battery Collection & Recycling - July 11, 2024, 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET: DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) will review two competitive grant programs  that recently completed initial funding rounds: (1) Smart Manufacturing Leadership Program supports states to establish or expand programs to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers access smart manufacturing technologies; (2) State and Local Programs for Consumer Electronics Battery Collection, Recycling, and Reprocessing program assists states and local governments to establish or enhance battery collection, recycling, and reprocessing. Program managers will describe past funding rounds and highlight expected program impacts, then grant awardees and other guests will discuss smart manufacturing and battery recycling. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and will receive links to additional resources and information on future MESC funding opportunities. Please register here.

    • The Renewable Thermal Collaborative released its Chemical Sector Assessment providing an analysis of decarbonization opportunities within the U.S. chemical industry, which accounts for approximately 20% of the country’s overall industrial emissions. This report outlines effective strategies to reduce thermal emissions which could deliver over 60% decarbonization of key production processes by 2050. June 25, 2024 webinar recording available here.
    • Clean Air Task Force, Federal Funding Programs for Clean Industrial Innovation: A Guide for States is a resource for states officials, businesses, communities, advocates, and others to understand how IIJA and IRA funding can be used for holistic advancement of industrial technology innovation and decarbonization. 
    • NASEO-NARUC Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB) and NASEO Industrial Working Groups Joint Forum: Industrial Demand Flexibility - June 11, 2024: This Forum focused on industrial demand flexibility and load management to save money, lower emissions, and reduce grid stresses from industrial operations. Dr. Kody Powell (Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center and University of Utah) and Dr. Blake Billings (Oak Ridge National Lab) presented Working Smarter, Not Harder: Opportunities and Challenges for Industrial Demand Response to Support the Grid and Ilia Krupenich and Akruti Gupta of the California Energy Commission (CEC) presented Industrial Energy Innovation in California highlighting industrial load flexibility opportunities and programs in California.
    • DOE Request for information (RFI) to gain strategic and technical feedback on decarbonizing America’s industrial sector is open, seeking input from diverse stakeholder on industrial decarbonization and related matters. Comments are due by June 24, 2024, 5:00 pm ET. This follows DOE’s May 14-15 Workshop to solicit input from stakeholders across the industrial sector to inform the Pathways for U.S. Industrial Transformations: Unlocking American Innovation study. View the recording and slides from the workshop. We are seeking opportunity for a follow-on presentation and discussion for our Working Group.
    • Section 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit Round 2 webinars: The BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) are hosting a two-part webinar series for economic development organizations and others to support businesses in their region put forth competitive applications.

    Part 1: Highlighting 48C Opportunities was recently held  (YouTube recording)
    Part 2: Designing Competitive and Quality 48C Projects—BGA, RMI, and Evergreen Action will discuss how to build a strong application and plan for a successful clean energy project. Coming June 6, 2024, 1:00 pm ET. (Registration link.)

    • Section 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit Round 2 – The U.S. Treasury, IRS, and DOE issued Notice 2024-36 regarding up to $6 billion in tax credit allocations for the second round of the 48C(e) Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit Allocation Program, including approximately $2.5 billion for projects located in 48C(e) designated energy communities. Join DOE’s Office of Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains (MESC) and Treasury for a virtual informational webinar for potential applicants. A May 16 webinar provided information about the second allocation round and how to prepare and submit the concept paper. Watch the webinar and view the slides.
    • ENERGY STAR Program for Industry launches its Industrial Assistance Network – small and medium-sized manufacturers can access local energy management support to access tools and expertise, earn ENERGY STAR recognition, and receive training and lessons from experienced industrial energy managers.
    • Meet the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) – May 28, 2024, 2:00–3:00 pm ET. This office serves as the headquarters for the interagency Advanced National Manufacturing Program office to coordinate Manufacturing USA, a network of manufacturing innovation institutes across the U.S. that brings together industry, academia and the public sector to advance American manufacturing.
    • ACEEE: N. Esram, A. Johnson, and N. Elliott (2024) How to Decarbonize Industrial Process Heat While Building American Manufacturing Competitiveness brief recommends actions that policymakers, utilities, and utility regulators can take to catalyze electrification of process heating while supporting the growth of U.S. manufacturing and strengthening the grid. (Blog.)
    • DOE announced up to $6 billion will be provided for 33 demonstration projects across more than 20 states to decarbonize energy-intensive industries under the Industrial Demonstration Program. Sectors covered include aluminum and metals, cement and concrete, chemicals and refining, food and beverage, glass, iron and steel, process heat, and pulp and paper.
    • DOE announces Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee (ITIAC) appointees. (Congratulations to Working Group member, Jolene Sheil, Focus on Energy Portfolio Manager, Office of Energy Innovation – Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, on her appointment.)
    • DOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Implementation Grant Program - Open Solicitation: DOE, in collaboration with ENERGYWERX, has re-opened applications for small and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs) to receive grants of up to $300,000, at 50% cost share, to implement recommendations made in assessments by Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC), DOE CHP/Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships, and other qualified “IAC-equivalent” programs. 

      • See here for the list of implementation grant selectees, award levels, and project types so far as well as the updated list of “IAC-equivalent” third party assessment providers.
    • DOE announces $425 million Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program funding opportunity for small- and medium-sized manufacturers to enable them to build new or retrofit existing manufacturing and industrial facilities in communities where coal mines or coal power plants have closed. These facilities will produce or recycle advanced energy products or contribute to emissions reductions within the manufacturing sector. This round builds on a previous funding round of $275 million for seven projects. This second round prioritizes two areas of interest: (1) Clean Energy Manufacturing and Recycling and (2) Industrial Decarbonization. Full applications are due June 24, 2024, 5:00 pm ET.
    • University of Illinois-Chicago, Energy Resources Center, Industrial Decarbonization and Pollution Prevention webinar – March 27, 2024: This webinar highlighted industrial decarbonization approaches and services provided by UIC through its DOE-supported Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) and Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) as well as its EPA-supported pollution prevention (P2) program. (Presentation, recording.)
    • NASEO Industrial Working Group Forum: State and Local Pollution Prevention Programs (P2) and Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAP) - February 21, 2024: This Forum focused on P2 and environmental assistance programs that offer technical assistance to manufacturing and other enterprises. Ed Gonzalez and Ken Grimm (presentation) of the Pollution Prevention Resource Center discussed technical assistance programs and partnerships offered in the Pacific Northwest as well as the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable. Matt Taylor (presentation) and Donovan Grimwood (presentation) of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) offered a focus on their state’s P2 and small business environmental technical assistance programs, respectively, with Donovan also highlighting the National SBEAP. (Recording pending.)
    • A Roadmap for Industrial Decarbonization in Pennsylvania (February 2024) was prepared by Strategen for the Ohio River Valley Institute to offer industrial decarbonization pathways through 2050 for all industrial subsectors in Pennsylvania, including fossil fuel extraction and delivery, iron and steel, minerals (e.g., cement, lime), chemicals, and refining, among others. The roadmap explores the role of five major decarbonization levers: energy efficiency, material efficiency, electrification, fuel switching, and carbon capture and storage. (February 21, 2024 webinar slides and recording.)
    • American Council of an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE): Johnson, A., A. Fraser, and D. York (2024) Enabling Industrial Demand Flexibility: Aligning Industrial Consumer and Grid Benefits calls on industry, utilities, and states to prepare for increasing loads by investing in strategies and technologies that enable demand flexibility, the ability of industrial facilities to adjust their energy consumption in response to grid conditions.
    • DOE Offers $83.1 million for Energy and Emissions Intensive Industries focused on applied R&D and pilot demonstration for the highest GHG-emitting subsectors, specifically chemicals and fuels; iron and steel; food and beverage; cement and concrete, asphalt pavements, and glass; and forest products. Concept papers are due March 19, 2024 and full applications due June 11, 2024. Please see EERE eXCHANGE for more information and the full Funding Opportunity Announcement.
    • U.S. Treasury/IRS announcement on proposed guidance on 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit.
    • DOE Industrial Technologies Funding and Technical Assistance compendium

    • DOE announced 27 new Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) and Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) with intent (expected in early 2024) to release additional opportunities to expand the network of IACs at community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs (including combined labor-management training programs).

  • Working Group and Related Materials

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    • NASEO Industrial Working Groups Forum: Industrial Heat Electrification and Storage - August 28, 2024: Industrial heating, which now often relies on onsite fuel combustion, is a major challenge to decarbonizing industrial processes. Arun Gupta, Founder and CEO of Skyven Technologies discussed steam-generating heat pump implementation for industrial customers (presentation). Caroline Jo, Vice President of Project Finance and Government Affairs at Rondo Energy presented on the Rondo Heat Battery that can provide 24/7 industrial heat while supporting load management and grid reliability (presentation). The speakers included discussion of business and financing models, including energy-, heat-, and storage-as-a-service business approaches. Recording available here
    • NASEO Response to DOE Request for Information on Transforming Industry – Strategies for Decarbonization (June 2024)
    • NASEO-NARUC Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB) and NASEO Industrial Working Groups Joint Forum: Industrial Demand Flexibility - June 11, 2024: This Forum focused on industrial demand flexibility and load management to save money, lower emissions, and reduce grid stresses from industrial operations. Dr. Kody Powell (Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center and University of Utah) and Dr. Blake Billings (Oak Ridge National Lab) presented Working Smarter, Not Harder: Opportunities and Challenges for Industrial Demand Response to Support the Grid and Ilia Krupenich and Akruti Gupta of the California Energy Commission (CEC) presented Industrial Energy Innovation in California highlighting industrial load flexibility opportunities and programs in California.
    • NASEO Industrial Working Group Forum: State and Local Pollution Prevention Programs (P2) and Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAP) - February 21, 2024: This Forum focused on P2 and environmental assistance programs that offer technical assistance to manufacturing and other enterprises. Ed Gonzalez and Ken Grimm (presentation) of the Pollution Prevention Resource Center discussed technical assistance programs and partnerships offered in the Pacific Northwest as well as the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable. Matt Taylor (presentation) and Donovan Grimwood (presentation) of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)  offered a focus on their state’s P2 and small business environmental technical assistance programs, respectively, with Donovan also highlighting the National SBEAP. (Recording pending.)
    • NASEO Annual Meeting (Portland, OR) session, American Manufacturing Renaissance: Productive, Prosperous, and Increasingly Clean (October 18, 2023): Carolyn Snyder (U.S. DOE, presentation), Julie Staveland (Michigan EGLE, presentation).
    • NASEO Industrial/Manufacturing Working Group Forum: (1) Implementation Grants for Industrial Research and Assessment Centers, (2) Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credits, and (3) Focus on Michigan - September 13, 2023: This Forum featured DOE presentations on (1) implementation grants available to help small and medium sized manufacturers implement recommendations from Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs), CHP Technical Assistance Partnerships, and equivalent assessments (presentation) and (2) the 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit and 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (presentation link pending) . There was also a focus on Michigan, with State Energy Office remarks and presentations from the Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University on the RESTART technical assistance program (presentation) and the Industrial Decarbonization Innovation Challenge (presentation).
    • NASEO Industrial/Manufacturing Working Group Forum on NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership and EPA ENERGY STAR Program for Industry - July 12, 2023: This Forum featured presentations on technical assistance, tools, and resources to help American industry offered through EPA's ENERGY STAR industrial program and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEP). ENERGY STAR helps U.S. industry to enhance energy management through partnerships, tools, and other resources. MEP is a public-private partnership with Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico serving small- and medium sized manufacturers. The Forum included state discussion and exchange. Presentation slides are here.
    • NASEO Webinar: Renewable Thermal Vision and Industrial Electrification in U.S. States (June 14, 2023): The Renewable Thermal Collaborative, a global coalition for companies, institutions, and governments committed to scaling up renewable heating and cooling and cutting carbon emissions at industrial facilities, partners discussed its Renewable Thermal Vision and Industrial Electrification in U.S. States reports as well as associated policy and technical tools available to help states and industries advance industrial electrification. The presentation slides can be found here, recording is pending.
    • NASEO Industrial/Manufacturing Working Group Forum on Industrial Assessment Centers and Complementary TA Programs (May 3, 2023):  U.S. DOE presented on the DOE-supported Industrial Assessment Centers, including its services and planned program enhancements and expansion. The Forum also included discussion of complementary technical assistance programs (CHP/Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships, DOE Better Plants) as well as perspective from the University of Utah-based Intermountain IAC on IAC-State Energy Office collaboration. Discussion of state support for industrial energy assessments occurred during state exchange portion of the program. Slides here and recording here.
    • NASEO Industrial/Manufacturing Working Group Forum (March 1, 2023): DOE Advanced Energy Manufacturing Grants and Industrial Demonstrations Programs and Connecticut Focus (March 1, 2023) - presentation and recording
  • Programs and Resources: U.S. Department of Energy

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    • Industrial Technologies Funding and Technical Assistance compendium
    • Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office supports innovation in technologies and the adoption of practices to enable the industrial sector to cost-effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office researches, develops, and demonstrates next-generation materials and manufacturing technologies needed to increase U.S. industrial competitiveness and to drive economy-wide decarbonization. AMMTO supports the national plan to revitalize American manufacturing, secure critical supply chains, and develop diverse innovation ecosystems leading to new manufacturing jobs and increased economic strength of the nation.
    • Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains is responsible for strengthening and securing manufacturing and energy supply chains needed to modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure and support a clean and equitable energy transition.
    • Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations was established as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to accelerate clean energy technologies from the lab to market and fill a critical innovation gap on the path to achieving our nation’s climate goals of net zero emissions by 2050. Its mission is to deliver clean energy demonstration projects at scale in partnership with the private sector to accelerate deployment, market adoption, and the equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system.
    • Loan Program Office
    • DOE Technical Assistance, Tools, and Resources
      • Industrial Assessment Centers - Small- and medium-sized manufacturers may be eligible to receive a no-cost assessment provided by DOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs). Teams located at 37 universities around the country conduct energy assessments to identify opportunities to improve productivity and competitiveness, reduce waste, and save energy. A database of recommendations from past plant assessments is available. New Regional Centers of Excellence and 17 Industrial Training and Assessment Centers at community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs enhance IAC workforce training capabilities. Contact the closest IAC location about receiving IAC services.
      • Better Plants works with leading U.S. manufacturers and wastewater treatment agencies to set ambitious energy, water, waste, and carbon reduction goals and commit to reducing energy intensity by 25% over a 10-year period across all U.S. operations. By partnering with industry, the Better Plants program aims to help leading manufacturers boost efficiency, increase resilience, strengthen economic competitiveness, and reduce their carbon footprint through improvements in energy efficiency.
      • Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships (TAPs) operate across 10 multi-state regions (that include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands). They bring specialized, regional knowledge to advise on economic, environmental, regulatory, and other issues impacting the adoption of onsite clean energy technologies. The Onsite Energy TAPs have expertise to advise on a variety of distributed energy technologies suitable for the industrial sector and are backed by world-class support from DOE’s national laboratories.
      • Energy Management Programs, including 50001 Ready program the recognizes facilities and organizations that attest to the implementation of an ISO 50001-based energy management system. The program is a self-paced, no-cost way for organizations to build a culture of structured energy improvement that leads to deeper and sustained savings that does not require any external audits or certifications.
      • Software tools for energy and water management, systems and equipment management, and decarbonization.
      • DOE Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap
      • DOE Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Industrial Decarbonization (and June 28, 2023, interim webinar presentation slides and recording), page also links to Decarbonizing Chemicals & Refining and Low-Carbon Cement sector reports. Also of interest, Pathways to Commercial Liftoff Clean Hydrogen and Carbon Management reports.
  • Programs and Resources: Other Programs

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  • Other Organizations and Resources

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  • Selected Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provisions

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  • Selected Inflation Reduction Act Provisions

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