President Biden's administration locked $6 billion in federal funding for energy and manufacturing behind a series of mandates relating to DEI initiatives, the Department of Energy has revealed. The DOE announced a $6 billion in investments granted to over 30 projects across the country as part of Biden's "Investing in America" agenda on Monday.
The quality of CBPs will impact a project’s selection and ongoing evaluation throughout its lifecycle," the department added. " phased project management approach allows the office to assess a project’s viability for continuation at major project milestones.
Examples include up to $500 million for the development of a "green aluminum smelter," and up to $125 million for "glass furnace decarbonization," among many others. "By prioritizing tangible community benefits, the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations helps ensure the next chapter in America's energy story is marked by greater justice, equity, security, and resilience," the agency said.
The administration's highly touted bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, one of the top legislative victories of Biden's tenure, was also quietly tied to a number of DEI initiatives. That legislation, which Biden signed in August 2022, is designed to shore up U.S. semiconductor supply chains, earmarking $52.7 billion to establish the CHIPS for America Fund, which supports private-sector investment in domestic research and manufacturing.