LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In their green energy push to combat climate change and to continue the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda, the Democrat party passed the Inflation Reduction Act in August of 2022 in what they call “the largest climate investment in history” with selected projects that will help build a clean energy economy.

The legislation came with hundreds of billions of dollars to “invest” in clean energy and to use to hand out to companies. It includes $169 million that the White House announced last Friday for nine projects to “accelerate electric heat pump manufacturing at 15 sites across the country.”

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In order to hand out the $169 million, President Biden has invoked war-power authority. According to the White House, “The selected projects are the first awards from Department of Energy’s authorization, invoked by President Biden using emergency authority on the basis of climate change, to utilize the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase domestic production of five key clean energy technologies” including heat pumps.

The Department of Energy said in a statement, “Heat pumps are critical to reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, bolstering national security, and boosting energy independence to strengthen national defense, lowering consumer energy costs, improving energy efficiency, and mitigating the climate crisis.”

This is also part of Biden’s Justice40 initiative for environmental justice with a goal to make sure that 40-percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.

Biden’s National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi said in a statement, “The President is using his wartime emergency powers under the Defense Production Act to turbocharge US manufacturing of clean technologies and strengthen our energy security.”

Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm has also chimed in about the move and said, “Getting more American-made electric heat pumps on the market will help families and businesses save money with efficient heating and cooling technology.”

The $169 million in funding will go to manufacturers including Armstrong International in Michigan. The company is in Three Rivers and was founded in 1900. They are a private, fifth-generation family-owned company which they say has continued to evolve, expand and thrive throughout the Great Depression, two world wars, multiple recessions, two global pandemics, and more. Their global enterprise has more than 3,000 employees and representatives serving the world. Committed to leaving a better world for those who follow, the company is also committed to decarbonizing and “bringing net zero within reach.”

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The company’s website says, “Armstrong has been helping companies improve thermal efficiency, lower energy use and reduce environmental emissions for more than a century. We’re global leaders in thermal utility management with all the experience, knowledge and insight necessary to help you minimize energy use, optimize your system, and decarbonize your facility’s primary energy sources more seamlessly than anyone in the world.”

Michigan News Source reached out to Armstrong International about the funding they will be receiving. Patricia Provot, Armstrong International’s President of the Americas, wouldn’t say how much money they’ll be receiving but told us, “Armstrong International was competitively selected for negotiation of an award from the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process. As a privately held company, it is our policy to maintain confidentiality with respect to specific financial information, including the details of any federal grant money received.”

As to how the money will be used, Wolowiec said, “The grant funds will be allocated to advance our initiative in manufacturing High Temperature Industrial heat pumps, increasing our capacity in Three Rivers to build these, these specialized heat pumps, designed for applications exceeding 100kW of heat and temperatures above 180°F, will primarily target crucial industrial facilities, including those in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing and paper and personal care products sectors. Our goal is to optimize industrial production globally while simultaneously supporting the energy transition in the United States. The grant will significantly accelerate the adoption of our Circular Thermal approach, resulting in substantial energy savings and CO2 reductions for our customers in the light industrial sector.”

Wolowiec said that the opportunity to receive the funds originated through their proactive engagement in the Department of Energy’s competitive grant application process. As part of their commitment to innovation and sustainable solutions, they actively look for new opportunities to advance their initiative in expanding the manufacturing (and adaptation) of High-Temperature Industrial heat pumps. Wolowiec said, “The grant application and competitive selection was a strategic step in aligning our objectives with the broader goals of promoting energy efficiency and decarbonization in the light industrial sector.”

Wolowiec continued, “We are truly honored to have been selected for this grant, and we view it as a validation of our commitment to advancing technical solutions that contribute to global decarbonization efforts. The funds will play a crucial role in expediting the production and adoption of our High-Temperature Industrial Heat Pumps, as well as our Circular Thermal approach, which involves creating a thermal map of the facility, utilizing Pinch methodology to identify opportunities to significantly reduce the need for primary energy. We are excited about the positive impact this funding will have on optimizing thermal utilities, reducing energy consumption and lowering CO₂ emissions. This perfectly aligns with our long-standing dedication to sustainability, innovation, and safety, and we look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the ongoing energy transition here in the US and around the world.”