• 5 MIN READ

2024: Winds of Change

As 2024 draws to a close, we celebrate a year of significant milestones for industrial decarbonization and the Industrial Innovation Initiative’s (I3) role in shaping the implementation of existing supportive laws and crafting next-generation policies. Encouraged by billions of dollars in tax credits and federal funding, the government at all levels took critical steps to support the transformation of decarbonizing American manufacturing. Implementation of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided unprecedented support to help American industry reduce its emissions and compete internationally.  

Some notable highlights include the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations selecting 33 projects for award negotiations through the Industrial Demonstrations Program. The six billion dollars in awards represents the largest single investment in industrial decarbonization in American history. I3 member LanzaTech participates in one of the selected projects, a sustainable ethylene project on the Gulf Coast. Additionally, Congress passed the ADVANCE Act to fast-track a new generation of nuclear facilities and the US Environmental Protection Agency awarded $396 million to reduce industrial emissions in Pennsylvania. It was truly a momentous year for American industry, I3, and its members.

“I3 consistently demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing member needs, ensuring timely and responsive support that fosters a strong sense of community and collaboration. Syzygy Plasmonics is grateful for the opportunity to have a forum for discussion on critical policies to support innovation in the US.” –Suzanne Foti, director of Government Relations at Syzygy Plasmonics, an I3 member

I3 Highlights from 2024

Federal Policy Blueprint

In late January, I3 released its 2024 Federal Policy Blueprint. The release marked the culmination of months of meetings in which members collaboratively identified the policies required to achieve midcentury climate goals, all conducted in the nonpartisan, consensus-based manner for which the Initiative is known.

The blueprint provides a coherent vision for reducing industrial emissions in the short and long term and identifies four key areas for future policy development and implementation: supportive infrastructure, industrial energy demand, data and standards, and market transformation. Nearly a year after its release, the blueprint continues to shape the industrial decarbonization agenda.

Hill Day

In late February, I3 staff and members gathered on Capitol Hill for a media briefing and to meet with more than a dozen House and Senate offices from both parties. In these meetings, they promoted the recently released blueprint, advocated for the importance of continued federal investment in industrial decarbonization, raised the profile of I3, and helped build relationships with key Congressional offices. For example, the Initiative was pleased to welcome a staff member of Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s Office from the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to its in-person plenary meeting in October after meeting with her office during the Hill Day. Senator Capito will chair the EPW committee in the 119th Congress.

Implementation of BIL and IRA

Initiative staff and members dedicated significant effort to tracking, summarizing, and shaping the implementation of key components of BIL and IRA. In addition to monthly plenary meetings and regular communications, other notable actions included I3 staff convening members to submit consensus-based responses to several requests for comments and information from federal agencies. Staff also proactively facilitated meetings between Initiative members, staff, and key contacts in Congress and DOE.

45V

In early 2024, following DOE’s release of the initial draft of the 45V Clean Hydrogen tax credit program, the Initiative convened to review the regulations and draft a consensus-based response. In the spring, the Initiative reconvened to draft another consensus-based response to DOE related to the Provisional Emissions Rates portions of the 45V regulations.

Building Relationships with Key Agency Stakeholders

I3 engaged with IEDO on several fronts to shape the office’s industrial decarbonization strategy. In May, I3 staff and several members attended a workshop hosted by the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) to solicit feedback on the office’s ongoing role in shaping DOE’s industrial decarbonization strategy. Initiative staff then convened members to submit a formal, consensus-based response to a corresponding request for information.

In September, I3 staff and several members met with IEDO’s director and deputy director. During the meeting, IEDO requested additional feedback from the Initiative on how best IEDO and DOE can reduce barriers to the adoption of new technologies, accelerate deployment, and effectively collaborate with different sectors across DOE.

State Industrial Decarbonization Toolkit

In October, I3 staff released a web-based State Industrial Toolkit designed primarily for state officials and industry leaders. It is a living resource that will be expanded over time. The toolkit provides the context and information needed to confidently communicate industry’s role in the energy transition, identify actionable measures states can take to reduce emissions, and direct stakeholders to key technical partners and peer projects.

Pittsburgh Plenary

In October, I3 hosted an in-person plenary meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with roughly 30 attendees from nearly 20 different organizations spanning industry, labor, and NGOs. It was a full day of networking and panel discussions focused on industrial innovation. The plenary fell during a multi-day gathering that included several industry-related events organized in collaboration with the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, the States Deployment Initiative, and several other partner organizations.

Working with States

In 2024, I3 staff also developed relationships with environmental officials in many states through work with the States Deployment Initiative, a coalition of nonprofits. Through the States Deployment Initiative, I3 staff have held monthly virtual meetings with states to provide information and updates on industrial decarbonization and gathered with them at several in-person convenings. We look forward to continued collaboration with states as they begin to implement measures identified in their Priority Climate Action Plans.

I3 values a stable climate, a safe and healthy environment, thriving livelihoods for American workers, and a strong US economy. Achieving these goals requires a thriving industrial sector.

I3 is increasingly recognized as a valuable non-partisan, consensus-based voice in the industrial space. Our members are designing and implementing projects to reduce emissions and are engaged in formulating policies that will shape American industry for years to come. In 2024, I3 welcomed new members across sectors, issued a well-regarded policy blueprint, held meetings across Congress, developed relationships with federal and state agency staff, and responded to multiple formal requests for comment.

“To make American industry cleaner and more competitive, we need pragmatic policy that accelerates emerging solutions and sets up American manufacturers for success. Through I3, Antora Energy is proud to work with innovation-minded stakeholders working to realize this future.” –Noah Long, director of State & Regulatory Affairs at Antora Energy, an I3 member

I3 is successful thanks to active engagement from our members. We thank members who were active contributors in 2024 and look forward to reconnecting with others in 2025. Defending existing investments and advocating for additional policies needed to reduce industrial emissions will require close coordination across organizations and partnerships. We look forward to working with you to build momentum for industrial decarbonization. We are inspired by the widespread enthusiasm for supporting American industrial innovation, emissions reductions, economic vitality, and cleaner communities.

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Senior Program Coordinator - Carbon Management, GPI

Carrie Danner joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as the operations coordinator for the Carbon Management team. In her work, she supports all projects within the program to elevate operations, specifically in the grant making and event planning spaces. Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox College in environmental studies. Prior to joining GPI, she supported programs at the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa as their member experience administrator.

Carbon Management Program Associate, GPI

Alana joined GPI in 2024 as a program associate on the Carbon Management team, specifically supporting the Industrial Innovation Initiative, where she helps to advance industrial decarbonization through GPI’s consensus-building approach. Alana previously worked as an account executive at Jamf, where she helped current K-12 education customers improve and scale the management and security of their Apple device deployments. Alana has spent most of her professional years working with Minnesota nonprofits, including two years as an AmeriCorps member with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in community environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Ankita Gangotra, Associate, WRI

Dr. Ankita Gangotra is an Associate in WRI’s US Climate Program, researching avenues to decarbonize the industrial sector, focusing on cement and steel decarbonization, environmental trade policies and international cooperation. Prior to joining WRI, Ankita was a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Foreign Service and the Department of Physics at Georgetown University. Her research looked at the readily available technology and policy options for upgrading low-carbon cement production in the United States. Ankita has an integrated Master's in Electronics Engineering with Nanotechnology from the University of York, UK (2015) and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Auckland, New Zealand (2020). During her time in New Zealand, Ankita interned at the Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor looking into equity, diversity and inclusion policy options for New Zealand’s science, research and innovation workforce.

Carrie Dellesky, Program and Outreach Manager, Carbon Removal and Industrial Innovation, WRI

Carrie Dellesky is the Program and Outreach Manager for Carbon Removal and Industrial Innovation. She develops strategies to advance policies and practices for scaling up a suite of carbon removal approaches and decarbonizing the industrial sector. She engages allies and builds and expands partnerships to mobilize champions and enhance visibility, action and impact. She also leads communications to amplify research and thought leadership, including messaging, media relations, event planning, social media and digital strategy.

Zachary Byrum, Research Analyst, WRI

Zachary Byrum is a Research Analyst in WRI's U.S. Climate Program, where he provides technology and policy analysis for carbon removal and deep decarbonization. His work focuses on pathways to reduce industrial emissions as well as bolstering technological carbon removal. Prior to WRI, Zach was a research assistant in the Carbon Management Research Initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy. In the preceding years, he served as White House Intern in the National Economic Council under the Obama Administration and then an assistant analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. Zach holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Goucher College.

Katie Lebling, Associate, WRI

Katie Lebling is an Associate in WRI's Climate Program where she works on research and analysis of technological carbon removal approaches and industrial decarbonization. Before joining WRI, she worked at The Asia Group, and interned at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum and the Treasury Department’s Office of Environment and Energy. She holds a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Energy, Resources, and the Environment, where she spent one year of the program studying in Nanjing, China, and has a B.A. from Colby College in Biology and Chinese language.

Debbie Weyl, Deputy Director, WRI United States

Debbie Karpay Weyl is the Deputy Director for WRI U.S. She previously served as Manager for the Buildings Initiative at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. She led an expanding global partnership to accelerate building energy efficiency in cities around the world. She also contributed to program management and development, research, and knowledge exchange for urban energy efficiency and sustainability. Debbie joined WRI from CLASP, a global non-profit organization that improves the environmental and energy performance of appliances, lighting and equipment. From 2011-2016 Debbie managed and developed global programs, led research projects, and facilitated collaboration among international experts and other representatives in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining CLASP, Debbie worked at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, where she was a contractor supporting building efficiency and other energy efficiency programs in the United States. Debbie holds a Master of Science in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a B.A. in Politics (Political Economy and International Relations) from Princeton University.

Angela Anderson, Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal, WRI United States

Angela Anderson is the Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal in the Climate Program. She leads WRI's growing portfolio of work in industrial decarbonization and carbon removal and aims to change narratives around “hard-to-abate” sectors and promote the natural and technological interventions required to achieve net-zero targets. Prior to joining WRI, Angela worked as a program director, coalition builder, international advocate, and campaign strategist. She led the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists for ten years; facilitated US-NGO engagement in the international climate negotiations while at US Climate Action Network and at the Pew Environmental Trust; and founded Clear the Air, a national coalition to reduce pollution from power plants. Angela holds a B.A. in political science from Colorado State University.

Patrice Lahlum, Vice President of Carbon Management, GPI

Patrice Lahlum is the vice president of the Carbon Management program at the Great Plains Institute. The Institute, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, works with diverse stakeholders and communities across the country to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. We strive to combine our unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge and analysis, and local action to promote solutions that strengthen communities, shore up the nation’s industrial base, and enhance domestic energy independence, all while eliminating carbon emissions. Patrice oversees several initiatives including the Carbon Capture Coalition, Industrial Innovation Initiative, Carbon Action Alliance, and the Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative.

Kate Sullivan, Senior Program Coordinator, Carbon Management, GPI

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019. As Senior rogram Coordinator, Kate uses her analytical and design skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Carbon Management team. Prior to joining GPI, Kate worked as an Energy Counselor in the Center for Energy and Environment’s residential department, assisting homeowners with their energy needs and providing resources for efficiency upgrades. Kate earned her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College with an emphasis in Environmental Studies.

David Soll, Industrial Decarbonization Manager, GPI

David Soll joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as Industrial Decarbonization Manager. He oversees the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Prior to joining GPI, he taught history and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he focused on urban infrastructure and energy conservation. David earned a Master’s in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in history from Brandeis University.

Jill Syvrud, Senior Program Manager, Carbon Management, GPI

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Carbon Management Program. In addition to overseeing the overall program, Jill directly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Jill earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a master of science degree in science technology and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jill’s past experience includes multiple graduate research assistantships concentrating on technology innovation and sustainable megacities along and a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.