Pittsburgh Gets $96 Million for Cleantech Manufacturing Facility, Will Create 900+ Jobs – CleanTechnica

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

---

Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Advanced Energy Manufacturing & Recycling Grants Program, the Pennsylvania company Mainspring Energy has received $87 million from the US Department of Energy to support domestic manufacturing of “innovative, fuel-flexible, power generators.” The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is expected to create more than 600 “skilled jobs” in the Pittsburgh region where it’s being located. It is going to be 300,000 square feet in size. Governor Shapiro is providing a boost from the state, too, another $8.6 million.

“The state-of-the-art facility will produce the company’s innovative, low-emissions Linear Generators with a capacity of up to 1,000 Linear Generators annually—the power equivalent to meet the electricity needs of up to 250K U.S. homes. The company expects to break ground in 2025,” a company representative noted.

“The region is leading as a hub for energy and climate tech, receiving millions in DOE funding since 2022. Thanks to these investments — coupled with Pittsburgh’s rich energy sector comprising traditional and clean tech companies and a workforce of almost 34,000 — the region is now at the forefront of what’s next and necessary for successful energy transition including future-focused power grids, solar farms, EVs and battery storage.”

Pittsburgh was once known for its black skies and massive pollution. But even a couple of decades ago, it was well on its way to transitioning itself into a tech city. It was a conscious plan and effort, and it’s clearly been going very well and has grown the city into a cleantech leader as well as a tech center.

This facility is expected to take a total investment of $175 million, and is expected to create 300 jobs in the construction phase as well as the later 600 facility jobs during operation. Construction is supposed to begin next year. “The facility, located near Pittsburgh in a coal-affected region, will employ people in metalwork, machining, and production.”

“The transition to America’s clean energy future is being shaped by communities filled with the valuable talent and experience that comes from powering our country for decades,” US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “By leveraging the know-how and skillset of the former coal workforce, we are strengthening our national security while helping advance forward-facing technologies and revitalize communities across the nation.”

“Mainspring is honored to be selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for this critical manufacturing grant, which will provide domestic supply chain resilience for clean power infrastructure,” said Mainspring CEO and Founder Shannon Miller.

Jobs, jobs, jobs — the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to create more jobs in cleantech sectors around the country, as does the Inflation Reduction Act.