Biden Admin Awards $2.8 Billion to EV Battery Companies Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Twenty electric vehicle battery companies have been awarded a total of $2.8 billion after promising to honor the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) tenets in hiring and…
Twenty electric vehicle battery companies have been awarded a total of $2.8 billion after promising to honor the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) tenets in hiring and business decisions.
The grants were awarded to private sector companies that reportedly extend the Biden administration’s DEIA agenda in the electric vehicle battery field, according to Fox Business.
Of the 20 companies that received awards, five pledged to increase production in “disadvantaged communities.”
Additionally, 13 of the companies also agreed to negotiate workforce and community agreements with “host communities, labor unions and/or Tribal entities to agree on community benefits and implementation plans.”
In order to hire and train employees consistent with DEIA values, 15 of the organizations stated that they would partner with “minority serving institutions, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).”
The Department of Energy said in a statement about the Wednesday announcement, “The companies submitted plans for engagement with local stakeholders, Tribal nations, environmental groups, and labor unions to ensure the funded projects create high-quality jobs; advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and contribute meaningfully to the Justice40 initiative to provide 40% of the overall benefits of federal clean energy investments to disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.”
Included in the grants was $57 million given to American Battery Technology Company who promised to “foster local community improvements through an environment and equity focused micro-grants program.”
A hefty $100 million was given to Applied Materials, Inc which promised: “location-based action through equity-centered community engagement efforts.”
Another $75 million was given to Cirba Solutions which said that “advancement of equity, environmental justice, and energy justice are woven into the framework of the organization.”