U.S. Energy Department Announces $156 Million to Convert Mine Waste Into Clean Energy Technology

The U.S. Energy Department on Sep. 19 announced a $156 million grant to establish a unique refinery facility for separating rare earth elements and critical minerals from mining wastes and other unconventional sources. Rare earth elements and critical minerals are considered important for clean energy technologies’ manufacturing. The funding, provided by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, will support grants aimed at building a rare earth metal separation facility and providing emissions-free, reliable energy during the energy transition phase.

Currently, the U.S. imports more than 80 percent of its rare-earth metal requirements in order to manufacture clean energy technologies and other essential products such as smartphones, computers, and medical equipment. The department is interested in extracting these rare earth elements from coal waste and ash, acid mine drainage, and discharged water, which can be used in clean technology manufacturing. These rare earth elements come from mining, energy production, and related activities. The Biden administration invites applications from the academic institutions in the country for a front-end engineering design study and design, engineering, construction, and operation of a prototype refinery facility.

Obligations of Selected Applicant:

• The applicant must participate in a community outreach program throughout the project life cycle; engage in consultations with historically disadvantaged communities; and follow the U.S. energy department’s Justice40 initiative.
• Project site selection must have minimum impact on the environment and maximum local labor force development opportunities.

President Joe Biden, issued Executive Order 14008 in January 2021 on tackling the climate issues at home and abroad, putting the climate crisis at the center of U.S. foreign policy and national security. The Justice40 initiative, outlined in the aforementioned order, seeks to direct 40 percent of benefits of certain federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities. The projects include clean energy, energy efficiency, affordable and sustainable housing projects, workforce development, and clean water infrastructure.

The IIJA encourages investment in U.S. infrastructure and competitiveness. The law ensures the re-erecting of the nation’s ports, airports, rail, and road infrastructure, electric generation and transmission facilities; access to clean drinking water, high-speed internet; climate management; and deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure; thus building a sustainable economy.

The above funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. energy department’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains.

Applicants must register via FedConnect by Nov. 21.