• 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.
Ankita Gangotra, Associate, WRI

Dr. Ankita Gangotra Associate, WRI United States 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

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 United States

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 United States. 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 (Interim), Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute (GPI)

Patrice Lahlum is the President/Owner of Riverwind Consulting, LLC, based in West Fargo, ND, and provides clients with a wide range of consulting services including marketing, communications and policy development and analysis. Current areas of focus are agriculture, energy, natural resources, and organizational development. Lahlum currently works as a consultant to the Great Plains Institute (GPI) on their communications, transmission and biomass programs. Named as one of the region’s “40 Under 40” business leaders by Prairie Business Magazine in 2011, Lahlum has more than 15 years of experience in agriculture and energy policy, project management, public relations, fundraising, media (conventional and social) outreach, group consensus development and facilitation. Renewable energy is a significant focus of Lahlum’s work, having led the effort to organize the first ever renewable energy summit in North Dakota. That summit led to the creation of the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy (NDARE). Lahlum served as the elected chair of NDARE from 2009-2012 and served on the board of directors from 2008-2012.

Kate Sullivan, Senior Program Coordinator – Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute (GPI), With GPI since 2019

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, Great Plains Institute (GPI), With GPI since 2023

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, Great Plains Institute (GPI). With GPI since 2017.

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.