spot_imgspot_img

U.S. Department of Defense awards millions to spur graphite industry

spot_img

(The Center Square) – A Canadian company is receiving a $37.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to study the possibility of a graphite deposit near Nome, Alaska.

Graphite is used in electric vehicle batteries, brake linings and steelmaking. The United States has not produced graphite since the 1950s and is dependent on other countries for the material, according to information from the U.S Geological Survey.

Vancouver-based Graphite One will use the grant for a feasibility study and to expand domestic production, the company said.

“This Department of Defense grant underscores our confidence in our strategy to build a 100% U.S.-based advanced graphite supply chain – from mining to refining to recycling,” said Anthony Huston, founder and CEO of Graphite One. “The World Bank Group reports that the production of minerals, including graphite, could increase by nearly 500% by 2050, to meet the growing demand for clean energy technologies.”

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the project is “in a league of its own.”

“As the United States and the world transition to an era of dramatically increased mineral use, it is crucial for us to rebuild our domestic supply chains—especially for natural graphite, which we have not produced for more than 30 years and currently depend on China and other nations for the entirety of our supply,” Murkowski said in a news release.

For every one million electric vehicles on the road, about 80,000 tons of graphite will be needed, according to a news release from the Alaska congressional delegation.

“This award has the potential to open up significant opportunities for our state in terms of producing our abundant reserves of critical minerals and metals,” said U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, who met with energy officials and took the lead on a letter to the Department of Defense about the project. “It’s also significant for our country’s national security. We must end America’s dependence on China for critical minerals like graphite, which are necessary for alternative energy sources as well as defense technologies.”

The grant money comes from the Defense Production Act, according to the news release.

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

‘We’re not out of the woods yet’: Seattle budget OK’d amid lurking challenges

(The Center Square) – The Seattle City Council approved...

Jury awaits ex-alderman’s secret recordings of Madigan at corruption trial

(The Center Square) – The bribery and racketeering trial...

Transportation secretary projects high volume of travel

Travel is expected to be high for the Thanksgiving...

Forecast is positive for state revenue from busy holiday travel

(The Center Square) – Despite the fifth-highest tax in...

Spokane officials propose $200k extension to save police nonprofit

(The Center Square) - Spokane COPS, a local police...

Report finds Louisiana state funds doubled in last four years

(The Center Square) — Louisiana's state-dedicated funds saw over...

Greene-DOGE collaboration draws snark from Democrats

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., slammed a Republican colleague's...

More like this
Related

‘We’re not out of the woods yet’: Seattle budget OK’d amid lurking challenges

(The Center Square) – The Seattle City Council approved...

Jury awaits ex-alderman’s secret recordings of Madigan at corruption trial

(The Center Square) – The bribery and racketeering trial...

Transportation secretary projects high volume of travel

Travel is expected to be high for the Thanksgiving...

Forecast is positive for state revenue from busy holiday travel

(The Center Square) – Despite the fifth-highest tax in...