Welcome to the August edition of A Capitol View.
SMI is doubling down on its leadership in the battery storage sector by launching a new industry coalition to promote tax policies and funding that enhance the recent historic bipartisan investments in a robust U.S. supply for critical materials and battery recycling.
The what and why: The Battery Advocacy for Technology Transition (BATT) Coalition, which launched Aug. 7, will leverage the collective voice of foremost innovators across the battery supply chain — from upstream producers of raw materials, makers of discrete battery components, and battery recyclers — to better compete with China and other foreign producers.
Charter members include Mitra Chem, Xerion Advanced Battery Corp., Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, Sicona Battery Technologies, NanoGraf Corporation, and Novalith.
‘A new phase’: “For our technology and innovation to flourish it’s essential for the U.S. government to bolster the private sector through targeted policies that reduce our reliance on a fragile supply chain dominated by China,” said Mitra Chem CEO and Co-Founder Vivas Kumar. “Together we can usher in a new phase of high value manufacturing jobs here at home, and we are excited to be part of this essential effort.”
“Our technology can compete in a free and open market, but unfortunately the domestic battery materials supply chain is up against a foreign supply chain that has benefited from decades of support from foreign governments,” added Orbia Vice President for Growth and Technology Miki Oljaca. “Policy makers need to understand the depth and breadth of these on-going challenges for domestic manufacturers and what is needed to support this critical U.S. industry. We are excited to move that discussion forward.”
Dream team: Leading the effort are SMI VPs Samm Gillard, Dave Howell, and Drew Ronnenberg, three DOE veterans.
“We’re not … looking to tear down the current policies,” Howell told Axios. “It’s really to fill in the gaps, to identify the gaps, to fill those in with additional policy, and then bolster the overall policy portfolio around the battery supply chain.”
BATT coverage: Battery supply chain companies launching new industry coalition
And: Former DOE officials launch EV battery, materials lobbying group
Plus: U.S. Battery Manufacturers Form Coalition to Boost Domestic Supply Chain
Learn more about BATT’s policy agenda and how to get involved at BATT Coalition. And follow the coalition on LinkedIn.
SMI SPOTLIGHT
MOVING ON UP: SMI’s John Major has been promoted to Vice President and Tas Ingram has been promoted to Director.
“In a short time, John has done a great job of helping to expand SMI’s business and reach into the Midwest and the military vehicles market,” said SMI COO Ken Wetzel, citing John’s strong ties to the Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center. “Many of his connections at GVSC and throughout the defense industry have already benefited our clients.”
‘A great addition’: At the same time, “Tas has been a great addition to the industrial base team and SMI writ large,” Ken said. “He came to SMI as a highly respected advisor to the DoD Industrial Base Resilience office and has continued to demonstrate that reputations are earned. His knowledge of the programs and deep network has made him an asset to clients and his colleagues.”
Well deserved: Congrats to SMI VP Jeff Leahy, who was bestowed the Outstanding Leadership Award by the nonpartisan National Energy Resources Organization for his steady hand as chair of the NERO board and longtime energy policy advocate.
New appointment: And kudos to SMI Director Rebecca Gansca, a retired Marine officer who most recently served as national security advisor to Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, for being named to the Navy League of the United States National Capitol Council’s board of directors.
ENERGY
SUMMER SPLASH: It’s also been a very promising summer in Washington for marine energy, another major focus for SMI’s clean energy portfolio, including a new congressional proposal to make historic federal investments in water power technologies.
Rising tide: Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, which would invest $1 billion in or demonstration projects, research and development, resource mapping, workforce development, and more efficient permitting processes.
“Marine energy is a 24/7 clean energy resource that can support the energy needs of coastal communities & reduce pollution,” Barragán posted on X, espousing the need to “invest in an emerging clean energy resource to help our nation & our communities meet decarbonization goals, reduce pollution, & create high-paying jobs.” Read the press release.
Permit, please: Meanwhile, bipartisan leaders on the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee publicly committed to improve the regulatory process for marine energy technologies, which has proven to be a major obstacle in jump-starting new projects.
During the committee’s markup of the Energy Permitting Reform Act, panel chair Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Ranking Member Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) pledged to work on the efforts with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a leading marine energy advocate.
“Anyone who has been within a thousand miles of the federal permitting process knows it is broken and one of the biggest impediments to responsible resource development,” Murkowski said after the legislation was approved by the committee 15 to 4.
‘Common sense reforms’: Murkowski said the proposed legislative moves include “common sense reforms that will make a difference for our ability to produce all types of energy and minerals and thereby improve our cost of living, security, and competitiveness.
She urged “all committees to bring ideas within their jurisdiction to the table” and “help push for the best possible bill to become law before the end of this Congress.”
New funding stream: Meanwhile, the Department of Energy published a notice of intent to provide up to $112.5 million to advance the commercial readiness of wave energy technologies.
The funding is part of the “Oceans of Opportunity” program, “a multi-year funding program designed to reduce risks for deployments, increase the potential for commercial adoption through longer-duration demonstrations, and offer additional benefits to help quickly advance wave energy converters,” according to the National Hydropower Association.
What it all means: “Each of these events are significant milestones on the pathway towards commercialization of marine energy technologies here in the United States,” said SMI VP Paul Gay. “The SMI team continues to play a critical role in shaping and securing additional federal support to develop and deploy innovative water power technologies for our clients and the entire industry.”
Related: Construction underway at Oregon State University test facility focused on wave-generated power
DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING
ON SITE: SMI Senior VP Jeremy Steslicki and Director Stephen Coffey helped organize a visit by Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) to GE Vernova, which is dedicated to electrifying and decarbonizing the planet.
The July visit deepened the congressman’s familiarity with GE Vernova’s Power Conversion business in his district and highlighted how the company is developing innovative approaches to electrification, including for U.S. Navy vessels.
Connecting the dots: The engagement was part of SMI’s efforts to connect some of the nation’s leading innovators with decision makers in Washington with responsibility over energy, national security, technology, manufacturing, and other investments and policies.
Deluzio is a member of the House Armed Services and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.
LACING UP: SMI and the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association notched a policy win with the inclusion of the Better Outfitting Our Troops, or BOOTS Act, in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), will ensure that all troops are wearing footwear made in the United States and that aligns with critical safety standards., as mandated by the Berry Amendment.
Closing the loopholes: “Over the past several years, we have seen an alarming increase in poorly made, foreign-sourced footwear sold through the exchanges on military installations for use by servicemembers when performing their duties,” said SMI Director and USFMA Trade Policy Director Karlee Popken. “Not only does this run contrary to the Berry Amendment, but it undermines the ability of the U.S. footwear manufacturing industry to function.”
“The BOOTS Act would require the DoD to issue regulations to the Services to ensure all boots are Berry Amendment compliant and meet the highest quality and performance standards,” she added.
USFMA and a coalition of U.S. footwear manufacturers are working to ensure the final NDAA includes the BOOTS Act when it passes both the House and Senate later this session.
Research boost: USFMA also took another step forward with the news that $5 million was included in next year’s budget by the Senate Defense Subcommittee for Army research and development of military footwear.
“This increase reflects the hard work and dedication of USFMA members who advocated for this funding during our Spring Meeting earlier this year,” Karlee said. “USFMA will be actively working to ensure that the final Defense spending bill includes this critical funding. We anticipate that the FY25 Appropriations bills will be finalized by December.”
CLIMATE TECH
CHANGE AGENT: Change Chemistry, a coalition dedicated to accelerating the growth of green and sustainable chemistry solutions, descended on D.C. in July for a pair of policy events.
The coalition, which grew out of SMI client University of Massachusetts Lowell, co-hosted a congressional briefing on the three-year-old Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act, which required improved federal coordination of public and private sector activities supporting sustainable chemistry.
Transformative approach: The coalition also teamed up with DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for an event titled “Scaling Sustainable Chemistry for Industry Transformation.”
On hand were a range of companies and reps the Energy, Defense, and Agriculture Departments, as well as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
LIFE SCIENCES
SHINE ON: SMI client SHINE Technologies was awarded a $32 million contract from DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration to help establish a reliable U.S. supply of molybdenum‑99 (Mo-99), the most commonly used medical isotope, without the use of highly enriched uranium.
Current Mo-99 production is limited to only a handful of government-owned nuclear research reactors located abroad. The isotope is crucial in nuclear medicine, powering more than 40 million diagnostic procedures every year.
Ramping up: The funding will aid the next-generation fusion company in the construction of SHINE’s large-scale, medical isotope facility in Janesville, Wisconsin, which will be able to satisfy more than one-third of the world’s demand, the company says.
DEFENSE
STRATEGIZING: Two new studies that could shape future defense policy and spending make detailed recommendations for where and how to focus resources in the coming years.
The big picture: The Commission on the U.S. Defense Strategy, established by Congress, found current defense strategy and spending levels wanting.
“The current National Defense Strategy (NDS), written in 2022, does not account for ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East and the possibility of a larger war in Asia,” it stated. “Continuing with the current strategy, bureaucratic approach, and level of resources will weaken the United States’ relative position.”
Narrower focus: Meanwhile, the hawkish Heritage Foundation surprised some with its call for a more limited scope for U.S. strategy that focuses on defending the U.S. homeland and China and less on Russia, Iran, North Korea and other threats.
“Neither increased U.S. defense spending, emerging technologies, sequencing, nor bluffing are likely to allow the United States to reliably defend the U.S. homeland and deter China in the years ahead —so we must concentrate U.S. forces where they are needed most to defend America’s interests, while empowering U.S. allies and partners,” it found.
More strategy: WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET: Implementing the National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology | The White House
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