• 5 MIN READ

Our Work: I3 Responds to DOE Requests for Information

With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the US Department of Energy (DOE) and its associated offices have made formal requests for information (RFIs) to help build an understanding of how to best implement the IIJA’s various provisions. The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) submitted responses to four of the relevant RFIs. The responses provide industry perspective and support Initiative priorities, including deep decarbonization, a thriving US economy, a just transition for US workers, and environmental justice.  

CARBON MANAGEMENT  

Responding to DOE’s Deployment Opportunities for Carbon Reduction and Removal Technologies RFI, the Initiative underscored prioritizing carbon management solutions (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) for hard-to-abate sectors, such as industry. Carbon management is especially critical for decarbonizing industrial process emissions, which make up approximately 30 percent of industrial emissions overall. There are presently about 60 industrial sector carbon capture projects underway, including projects in the hard-to-decarbonize steel, cement, and petrochemical sectors. 

Read the full response 

INDUSTRIAL DECARBONIZATION 

Responding to the DOE and Advanced Manufacturing Office’s RFI on Industrial Decarbonization Priorities, I3 developed a cross-cutting response. The response emphasizes the value of supporting emerging technologies like carbon management and clean hydrogen solutions and established technologies like energy efficiency and industrial electrification. The Initiative recommends financial incentives, clean procurement policies, grid and infrastructure enhancement, and workforce development measures to support and accelerate industrial decarbonization in the US.  

Read the full response 

CLEAN HYDROGEN 

Responding to DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Implementation Strategy RFI, the Initiative outlined the regional opportunities for clean hydrogen hub development. Hub considerations include existing industrial facilities, clean energy resources, and existing or needed transportation and storage infrastructure. The response calls for a holistic definition and means of quantifying clean hydrogen, inclusive of upstream emissions. It also underscores the need for financial mechanisms to defray costs and spur market adoption. Furthermore, the response emphasizes the need for workforce development and community engagement when developing hydrogen hub projects.  

Read the full response 

Responding to the DOE and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office’s Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing, Recycling, and Electrolysis RFI, the Initiative focused primarily on the need to support domestic supply chains and the American workforce dependent upon upstream hydrogen jobs; the need to reduce production costs and make quantifiable progress toward the federal $2/kilogram of hydrogen goal; industry’s value as a priority end user; and the need to consider environmental justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the development of clean hydrogen projects. 

Read the full response 

STAY UP TO DATE 

The information contained within these responses represents a small fraction of the collective knowledge and expertise of our participants. I3 will continue to seek out opportunities for formal input and comment in partnership with the DOE and its associated offices. Keep up to date with I3 news by signing up for our monthly newsletter. For more information on I3 or to get involved, contact David Soll at dsoll@gpisd.net. 

Share this post

Stay current

Keep up with I3 by joining our Newsletter.

Subscription

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Labor Engagement Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Alejandro comes to GPI from Labor Union SEIU-United Service Workers West. He represented union workers from downtown Los Angeles and LA’s westside corridor of Century City, Westwood, and Beverly Hills. Alejandro enforced various collective bargaining agreements for union workers, ensuring annual wage increases, health insurance, and other benefits and protections. In addition, he worked with union leaders and outside stakeholders, such as community partners, public agencies, politicians, and industry experts, to develop and execute union campaigns. Alejandro was also part of the Los Angeles-Justice for Janitors 2021 union contract campaign—he helped execute and coordinate large-scale actions across LA’s metropolitan area. Previously, he served as the Nevada state canvassing director at For Our Future Action Fund. He holds a BA in international studies and Italian from the University of Kansas.

Senior Program Coordinator for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Carrie Danner joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as the operations coordinator for the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team. In her work, she supports all projects within the program to elevate operations, particularly in grant-making and event planning. 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.

Industry Program Coordinator, GPI

Alana joined GPI in 2024 as a program associate on the Industrial Innovation and 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.

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.

Senior Advisor of Industrial Innovation, 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.

Vice President of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Patrice Lahlum is the Vice President of the Industrial Innovation and 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.

Senior Content Specialist for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019. As Senior Content Specialist, Kate uses her analytical and design skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Industrial Innovation and 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.

Senior Program Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Industrial Innovation and 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, as well as a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.