Many different industries in the United States rely on a steady supply of aluminum, including food and beverage, construction, automotive manufacturing, and more. With primary aluminum production in the country on a decline, a number of major companies have teamed up to write a letter to the Department of Energy’s Secretary Jennifer Granhold calling for the American government to directly support the aluminum industry in shifting to clean and sustainable practices to help support this demand. Ford, General Motors, Pepsi Co., Ball Corp., Rivian, SunPower, and several other organizations have suggested that funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) be allocated for this purpose in the letter.
“Ford is committed to achieving carbon neutrality across our vehicles, operations and supply chain no later than 2050, and sourcing domestically produced, lower-carbon primary aluminum is part of a host of actions we are taking that will help us meet our ambitious sustainability goals,” said Cynthia Williams, Global Director of Sustainability, Homologation and Compliance at Ford. “The Inflation Reduction Act presents a powerful opportunity for the Department of Energy to prioritize American-made, clean sources of aluminum, which will in turn make more sustainable options available to companies like Ford.”
This letter was published online and in five major newspapers: The Albany Times-Union, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Louisville Courier-Journal, the South Carolina Post and Courier, and the Indianapolis Star. It calls for American-made primary aluminum, which is on the brink of disappearing, to instead receive the support it needs to modernize and transform, revitalizing the industry and creating jobs, reducing emissions, creating supply for a nationwide demand, and realizing the full potential of climate law.
“Spiking electricity prices, lack of access to low-cost renewable energy, and insufficient federal investment have pushed the remaining six primary smelters to the brink,” the letter states. “The IRA is poised to make the largest-ever investment in U.S. manufacturing, supercharging aluminum-dependent clean energy technologies. In order to meet increased aluminum demand that will affect all our industries, the U.S. must invest heavily in supply.”
The American aluminum industry relies heavily on fossil fuels in its current state, a reliance that is holding the entire industry back from growing and progressing, as the current high costs of fossil fuels make the process expensive as well as unsustainable. As the price of renewable energy has dropped significantly over the years, however, transitioning to clean energy sources with assistance from the federal government could revolutionize the industry and create valuable resources for other American industries as well.
“It’s going to take all of us – manufacturers, suppliers, energy providers and government – working together to build a better future that’s not just good for business, but also for people and the planet,” said Cynthia Williams.
Joining this initiative is far from Ford’s only effort to promote sustainability and American jobs. If you’re interested in reading more about these news updates, make sure to continue checking out our blog here at Haldeman Ford Hamilton!