WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced up to $16 million in federal funding for large-scale conversion of carbon dioxide emissions into environmentally responsible and economically valuable products. With funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, projects will develop the sustainable feedstocks and conversion technologies necessary to produce crucial fuels, materials, and other carbon-based products that are better for the environment than current petroleum-derived equivalents. This effort supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as the goals of DOE’s Clean Fuels and Products Energy Earthshot, which aims to meet projected 2050 net-zero emissions demands for 100% of aviation fuel; 50% of maritime, rail, and off-road fuel; and 50% of carbon-based chemicals by using sustainable carbon resources.

“Chemicals production and petroleum refining industries are critical to the U.S. economy and our energy security, but they also are responsible for a significant portion of our country’s carbon emissions,” said Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. “The funding made available under DOE’s Carbon Conversion program is helping to provide lower-carbon or net-negative alternative products and processes, supporting new economic opportunities while also creating a healthier environment for local communities.”

The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will support two areas of focus: (1) engineering-scale testing of electrochemical systems for converting carbon dioxide emissions into value-added products such as engineering polymer/resin precursors, specialty chemicals, and commodity chemicals; and (2) feasibility studies that examine retrofitting refineries and petrochemical facilities for carbon conversion. It is anticipated that global demand for petrochemical feedstocks will continue to grow and include products such as ethane, liquid petroleum gas, and naphtha, and carbon conversion can provide needed alternatives while reducing climate pollution at the same time.

This research will benefit manufacturers, technology providers, and the general public by advancing the commercial viability of and consumer access to less expensive and more environmentally sustainable products and services.

Funding applicants are required to submit Community Benefits Plans to demonstrate meaningful engagement with and tangible benefits to the communities in which these projects will be located. These plans must provide details on the applicant’s commitments to community and labor engagement, quality job creation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and benefits to disadvantaged communities as part of the Justice40 Initiative. 

Read more details of this FOA here. All questions about the FOA should be submitted to DE-FOA-0003018@netl.doe.gov; . The application deadline is August 27, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET.

FECM minimizes environmental and climate impacts of fossil fuels and industrial processes while working to achieve net-zero emissions across the U.S. economy. Priority areas of technology work include carbon capture, carbon conversion, carbon dioxide removal, carbon dioxide transport and storage, hydrogen production with carbon management, methane emissions reduction, and critical minerals production. To learn more, visit the FECM website, sign up for FECM news announcements, and visit the National Energy Technology Laboratory website.