Energy

If you ask the leaders at Hyzon what kind of company it is, the answer might surprise you. The business, which manufactures “high-performance hydrogen fuel cell systems,” doesn’t consider itself just a manufacturer.

Making things possible: “We are a clean technology company that makes it possible to provide emissions-free power to some of the most difficult applications out there,” said Chief Operating Officer Dr. Bappaditya Banerjee. “It just so happens we are starting with Class 8 and refuse trucks.”

• In September, the Bolingbrook, Illinois–based firm announced the start of production of its single-stack, 200-kilowatt fuel cell systems to power those heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks. Hyzon is the only U.S. producer of the single-stack 200-kilowatt fuel cell.
• The new system is an upgrade from the 110-kilowatt fuel cell assemblies that Hyzon used in its first-generation vehicles.
• “If we were to put together two 110-kilowatt fuel cells to get to 200 kilowatts, the single-stack system would be 30% lighter than two110-kilowatt systems, as well as 25% cheaper to produce,” Banerjee said.

A differentiator: The company aimed to scale up the power of the engine without also significantly scaling up the size—no easy task. So Hyzon developed a proprietary solution: its hybrid bi-polar plate technology.

• “Most [fuel cell] stacks are either metal or carbon, but ours are hybrid,” Banerjee explained. “By hybrid, we mean that the cathode—where the oxygen comes into the system—is carbon, while the anode side is metal. The carbon side is more corrosion resistant while the metal side is strong, rigid and easier to manufacture, which allows a compact design.”
• “It’s the structure of the plates and the unique 200-kilowatt, single-stack design that allowed us to make it small enough to fit under the hood of a truck,” added Hyzon Vice President of Global Engineering Ravi Desai. “What does this is the design combination of our Membrane Electrode Assembly, the bi-polar plates and the compact balance of plant,” he said, referring to the network of pipes, hoses and fittings necessary for the fuel cell stack to work.

Uses and range: Hyzon offers two different emissions-free, heavy-duty vehicle types for industrial and commercial use, including a refuse collection truck. The models boast driving ranges comparable to those of diesel-powered trucks.

• The Heavy Duty Class 8 Fuel Cell trucks can typically go 350 miles from full storage tanks to empty, while the Fuel Cell garbage trucks can do a full day of work (at least 1,200 trash bin lifts and 125 miles of driving range) on a full tank.
• The trucks take about 15 to 20 minutes to refuel with a fast-fill dispenser at 350 bar, the pressure of the hydrogen gas needed to fill the trucks.

A challenge: In the U.S., the only publicly available hydrogen fuel refilling stations are in California, restricting widespread adoption for now. Meanwhile, the cost of filling up can be high.

• To support the construction of stations around the country and lower prices, the Biden administration announced $7 billion in funding last year for regional clean hydrogen “hubs.”
• In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act created the 45V hydrogen production tax credit, designed to help jumpstart scalable and sustainable domestic hydrogen fuel production.
• The credit is not yet available to companies, however, as the administration works to issue final regulatory guidance. The NAM has worked tirelessly to ensure this guidance is as broad, flexible and fair as possible.

Good for everyone: Hyzon doesn’t want to be the only player in the hydrogen ecosystem. On the contrary, it welcomes competition for the good of consumers and the industry.

• “The number of people who have been able to provide something useful [in transportation] using hydrogen is so limited that the more of us who succeed, the more it allows for hydrogen to become a normal part of our infrastructure,” said Banerjee. “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

Lucid has already made one of the most energy-efficient cars on the market. Now the company is on a mission to strengthen supply chains for the critical materials powering its award-winning vehicles.

Supply chain warrior: The California-based electric vehicle manufacturer—whose 2025 Air Pure sedan is the first EV to achieve a milestone 5 miles of range per kilowatt of energy—recently reached an agreement with Alaskan mining exploration company Graphite One to purchase synthetic graphite for its vehicles’ battery packs.

• The deal, which goes into effect in 2028, is a crucial first step toward cementing a domestic supply chain of graphite, a mineral that makes up about half of every EV’s battery composition. EV batteries require both synthetic and natural graphite.
• “Today 100% of the graphite for batteries assembled in the U.S. comes from overseas,” said Lucid Motors Supply Chain Group Manager of Battery Raw Materials Michael Parton. “Building a robust domestic supply chain ensures the United States and Lucid will maintain technology leadership in this global race.”

Pandemic lesson: The global pandemic revealed the downside of depending on other nations for critical materials, and the importance of cultivating domestic sources instead.

• In 2020, “every company experienced major challenges when it came to shutdowns and global trade,” Parton said. “Having a domestic supply reduces production risk, accelerates response time and agility and lowers the need to carry higher levels of inventory.”

A midstream gap: When it comes to EV batteries and their supply chains, “much of the discussion is on localizing the bookends of the supply chain, the downstream battery production and the upstream mineral extraction,” Parton told us.

• Less discussed is the “midstream environment,” which comprises the precursor cathode active materials (P-CAM) and cathode active materials (CAM) stages. Materials used during these phases in the battery production process include critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.
• The P-CAM market has been a difficult one to navigate, Parton added. For years, the P-CAM stage has been outsourced to countries with more cost-effective production. The problem: These countries also have less stringent environmental regulations than the U.S.
• “There’s limited investment announced [in the U.S.] in the refining and chemical conversion process at these stages, but it’s where the real need is,” Parton continued. “To promote localized sources of supply for mined and recycled minerals, there needs to be a domestic option for both P-CAM and CAM.” 

A bipartisan issue: Lucid’s advocacy for a strong domestic supply chain has won bipartisan support in Congress.

• “There’s something in it for everyone when it comes to efficiency,” said Lucid Motors Senior Manager of International and Trade Policy Emily Patt, citing the environmental and self-sufficiency benefits of a resilient domestic supply chain.

What’s next: Lucid is expanding its vehicle lineup beyond the Air and the vehicle’s four trim levels.

• By the end of 2024, the company is scheduled to start production of the seven-passenger Lucid Gravity. The company has also teased an upcoming midsize platform, which is expected to start production in late 2026.

The grand vision: “The pursuit of efficiency drives Lucid as a company,” Patt said. “We’re not just making zero-emission cars; we’re committed to making the best use of the world’s resources to maximize the benefits for electrification and the planet.”

With a new administration and Congress on the horizon, the NAM is signaling confidence in its ability to secure wins for manufacturing in the United States, highlighting both recent achievements and policy priorities moving forward.

“The NAM has always focused on what’s best for manufacturing in America, and our track record speaks to that,” said NAM Executive Vice President Erin Streeter. “Our approach is consistent because we know what it takes to get results.”

What we’ve delivered: With post-partisan engagement, the NAM has achieved historic policy wins across both recent administrations, including:

• Tax reform: The NAM’s advocacy helped shape the 2017 tax cuts, driving billions in savings that manufacturers have reinvested in jobs, innovation and facility upgrades.
• Regulatory certainty: The NAM has played a pivotal role in streamlining regulations, reducing compliance costs under the Trump administration and working to slow regulatory expansion during the Biden years.
• United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement: The NAM was a key advocate for USMCA, safeguarding U.S. jobs by ensuring fairer competition and greater access to key markets.
• Energy advances: NAM-backed policies have supported growth in domestic energy production, creating a more stable energy market.
• Infrastructure and CHIPS Act: The NAM was instrumental in securing the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, both critical for modernizing the economy, bolstering national security and ensuring a reliable semiconductor supply.

“These wins demonstrate what we bring to the table,” Streeter said. “By staying focused on manufacturing’s priorities, we can partner effectively with the new administration and Congress to create and protect jobs and strengthen communities.”

Looking ahead: The NAM’s focus on core issues remains critical for keeping the sector competitive and resilient, Streeter continued. These issues include:

• Securing tax reform: The NAM’s “Manufacturing Wins” campaign aims to lock in key 2017 tax provisions that manufacturers rely on for stability and growth. “Tax reform has been a game-changer,” said Streeter. “Protecting that progress means more jobs and manufacturing-led growth across the country.”
• Regulatory certainty: The NAM is advocating for balanced regulations that support competitiveness. “Manufacturers thrive with clear, fair rules,” Streeter noted. “We’re making sure Washington understands the importance of regulatory stability—and the danger of excessive regulation.”
• Energy security: The NAM is working to secure reliable, affordable energy while fostering innovation in sustainability. “Energy security and grid reliability are top of mind for every manufacturer,” Streeter added. “We’re ensuring manufacturers can continue to innovate, grow and drive America forward.”

Bottom line:  The NAM remains focused on advocating for policies that strengthen U.S. manufacturing. “Our success is built on trust and influence,” Streeter said. “Our members know the NAM is a constant force, with the relationships and expertise to deliver, regardless of political changes.”

In related news, President-elect Trump has named campaign manager Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff (Reuters, subscription), a choice NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons called “a powerful move to bring bold, results-driven leadership to the White House from day one.”

Washington, D.C. – As the Biden administration continues its efforts to boost the availability of clean energy in the United States and around the world, an ongoing pause in liquefied natural gas export licenses threatens economic stability as well as progress made by manufacturers in America. A staggering 900,000 jobs could be at risk according to a new study released today by the National Association of Manufacturers.

“With LNG exports, we do not have to choose between what’s good for the economy and good for the planet. Today’s research shows the massive opportunity America has when we unleash our economic and energy potential. LNG exports also play a key role in meeting clean energy goals. But clamping down on our energy sector unnecessarily puts jobs and economic growth at risk, while pushing other nations to use higher emissions alternatives,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Building LNG export facilities and expanding natural gas production are not just good for our industry—they also cut emissions and help power manufacturing around the world.”

Conducted in partnership with PwC, the analysis uses the government’s own projections to conclude that robust LNG export activities could contribute up to $216 billion to U.S. GDP and generate $46 billion in tax revenue in 2044 if projects proceed as planned. A pause on LNG exports threatens these gains.

Timmons added, “The Biden administration’s ill-advised decision to stop LNG exports could cost Americans dearly, while leaving our geopolitical allies—particularly in Europe—out in the cold. The data is clear: halting LNG export licenses puts nearly a million jobs at risk. The LNG freeze also deprives us of an important tool of soft power to bolster trading partners who share our values. This study provides policymakers—present and future—a clear path to create jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic growth by harnessing America’s abundant supply of LNG.”

Current Economic Benefits by the Numbers:

• Job creation: U.S. LNG exports support 222,450 jobs, resulting in $23.2 billion in labor income.
• Economic output: The LNG industry contributes $43.8 billion to U.S. GDP.
• Tax revenue: Federal, state and local governments receive $11.0 billion in tax revenues, thanks to U.S. LNG exports.

Future Benefits Undermined by an LNG Export Ban:

• Jobs threatened: Between 515,960 and 901,250 jobs, resulting in $59.0 billion to $103.9 billion in labor income, would be at risk if the ban on U.S. LNG exports continues through 2044.
• The economic fallout: An LNG export ban would stifle between $122.5 billion and $215.7 billion in annual contributions to U.S. GDP during the same period.
• Communities shortchanged: Between $26.9 billion and $47.7 billion in tax and royalty revenues meant to benefit communities across the United States would also be at risk in 2044.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

The liquefied natural gas export industry has turned the U.S. into a powerhouse of cleaner energy, benefiting its trading partners around the world. The Biden administration’s ongoing ban on new LNG export licenses, however, is throttling an industry that could produce many more billions in revenue and a startling 900,000 jobs by 2044.

The data: A new study from the NAM and PwC shows that the U.S. LNG revolution could extend its upward climb, as shown on the graph above. Today, the industry is a huge source of jobs and profit:

• U.S. LNG exports support 222,450 jobs, resulting in $23.2 billion in labor income.
• The LNG industry contributes $43.8 billion to U.S. GDP.
• And lastly, federal, state and local governments receive $11.0 billion in tax and royalty revenues, thanks to U.S. LNG exports.

But that pales in comparison to the industry’s potential over the next two decades. The study projects the likely growth of the industry through 2044, showing all that is at stake if the ban remains in place until then:

• Between 515,960 and 901,250 jobs, resulting in $59.0 billion to $103.9 billion in labor income, would be at risk.
• The ban would also stifle between $122.5 billion and $215.7 billion in contributions to U.S. GDP during the same period.
• Between $26.9 billion and $47.7 billion in tax and royalty revenues meant to benefit communities across the United States would also be at risk in 2044.

Public opinion: The American public is squarely behind the LNG export industry, showing overwhelming approval in an NAM poll taken in March.

• Eighty-seven percent of respondents agreed the U.S. should continue to export natural gas.
• Seventy-six percent of respondents agreed with building more energy infrastructure, such as port terminals.

The last word: “With LNG exports, we do not have to choose between what’s good for the economy and good for the planet. Today’s research shows the massive opportunity America has when we unleash our economic and energy potential,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons.

• “Building LNG export facilities and expanding natural gas production are not just good for our industry—they also cut emissions and help power manufacturing around the world.”

The Defense Department’s Office of Strategic Capital is now accepting applications for flexible direct loans to build, expand and/or modernize “critical technologies” facilities (Federal Register).

• It’s also seeking input from companies and trade associations on the Defense Department’s loan program, via a Request for Information open through Oct. 22 (Federal Register).

What’s going on: The OSC’s credit program, launched Sept. 30, aims “to attract and scale private capital in industries and technologies that are critical to America’s national and economic security,” according to the Defense Department. This is part one of the application process.

• The financing is geared toward manufacturers that must spend significantly on industrial or specialty equipment to create new assembly lines in existing facilities.
• The money is also intended to help them cover “soft” expenses, such as factory preparation and installation, associated with critical technology projects.

Why it’s important: “The funding from this program could benefit manufacturers of all sizes that are working to expand their businesses and product lines in critical areas of the economy,” said NAM Director of Energy and Natural Resources Policy Mike Davin.

• The OSC loans offer flexible terms, a U.S. Treasury-comparable interest rate, long repayment periods and deferred payments.

Who’s eligible: Manufacturers within the 31 “Covered Technology Categories”— which include advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, battery storage and spacecraft—are encouraged to apply.

• There is no company-size or employee-number threshold or limit, and manufacturers with existing federal grants are eligible.

The EPA’s final rule setting national drinking water standards for PFAS should be vacated in its entirety, the NAM and two allies said in an opening brief filed in federal court Monday.
 
What’s going on: The NAM, the American Chemistry Council and U.S. chemical company Chemours asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn the EPA’s rule, announced in April, which requires that municipal water systems nationwide remove six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from drinking water. Trade groups representing the water systems have also sued to overturn the rule.  
 
The grounds: The rule is unlawful and must be set aside for the following reasons:

• ​​​​The EPA used a deeply flawed cost-benefit analysis to justify the rule.
• The EPA conducted a woefully incomplete feasibility analysis that ignores whether the technology and facilities necessary for compliance actually exist.
• Critical parts of the rule exceed the agency’s statutory authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act and flout the act’s express procedural requirements.
• The EPA failed to consider reasonable alternatives or respond meaningfully to public comments that undercut its judgment.
• The agency “lacked sufficient data to regulate” HFPO-DA, one of the PFAS chemicals that falls under the rule.

Why it’s important: PFAS “are substances at the center of modern innovation and sustain many common technologies including semiconductors, telecommunications, defense systems, life-saving therapeutics and renewable energy sources,” according to the brief.

• The NAM and its co-petitioners “support rational regulation of PFAS that allows manufacturers to continue supporting critical industries, while developing new chemistries and minimizing any potential environmental impacts. But that requires a measured and evidence-based approach that the [r]ule lacks.”

What’s next: Briefing in this case will continue through the spring, with oral argument to follow and a decision from the D.C. Circuit expected in late 2025. 

 The Interior Department is seeking to close hundreds of thousands of acres of land in Wyoming to traditional and renewable energy development, a plan that would cut crucial natural resource development off at the knees (POLITICO Pro, subscription).

What’s going on: Though the Bureau of Land Management’s plan, released Thursday, scales back from previous iterations the acreage recommended for conservation, it still considerably “throttles back how much of the federally administered area’s 3.6 million acres is in play for different forms of energy development.”

• The final announcement, part of the BLM’s proposed Resource Management Plan for the Rock Springs Field Office, is tantamount to “pushing Wyoming off an economic cliff with nothing more than a tattered parachute,” said John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. “This plan isn’t designed to manage Wyoming’s natural resources. It is designed to suffocate them. … [It] directly jeopardizes Wyoming’s economy and our way of life.”

What it would do: If approved, the blueprint would replace its 27-year-old predecessor document and prohibit drilling on nearly 1.08 million acres—almost twice the number currently off-limits to new oil leases.

• It would “also [exclude] 494,350 acres from wind and solar power development and [close] 536,018 acres for geothermal power projects.”

Why it’s important: The plan could reduce economic activity in Wyoming’s oil and gas sector by some $907 million each year and cost the state nearly 3,000 jobs, according to estimates by several energy groups (Cowboy State Daily).

The NAM says: “This latest move by the Interior Department undermines U.S. energy security by needlessly restricting access to available domestic sources of critical natural resources as part of an all-of-the-above energy future,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin. “We urge the agency to reexamine and revise its plan.”

If you ask Henkel how it managed to cut its worldwide carbon footprint in half a few years ago, its leaders will gladly let you in on the secret: there isn’t one.

The impressive reduction is down to common sense and good old-fashioned effort.

Putting in the work: “One focus is on our own sites and production, and we’re continuously working on this,” said Henkel North America President Pernille Lind Olsen.

• By the end of 2023, the global adhesives and consumer brands manufacturer had fully converted 19 of its worldwide facilities to run on renewable electricity sources, a feat it achieved through on-site energy production including wind and solar, as well as direct purchase of green power from local utility companies.
• Henkel also entered into virtual power purchase agreements, financial transactions through which it buys renewable energy credits that serve to decarbonize geographically diffuse operations.
• In addition, the company hired energy-efficiency consultants to come into its most energy-intensive plants and tell it where and how to cut down on resource use and waste.

Exceeding goals: Thanks to these efforts, Henkel has reduced its carbon footprint by 61%, heading toward its 2025 goal to slash its carbon footprint (from a 2010 baseline) by 65%.

Sustainable personal care: Henkel is always on the lookout for ways to increase the sustainability of its 30-plus beauty and personal care brands, which include Purex and All laundry detergents and Schwarzkopf hair cosmetics.

• For example, the company keeps a formulation database of its more than 200,000 products. In the database, each formula is assigned a compact sustainability report, making it possible for the company to compare profiles “to optimize the impact of our footprint,” Olsen told us.
• Last March, Henkel reformulated and repackaged its Dial body washes in order to use bottles made from 100% recycled plastic.
• Henkel has also reduced the amount of virgin plastic in the bottles of Persil laundry detergent, replacing it with recycled content.

Less to landfills: Henkel isn’t done setting goals. It’s now aiming to send exactly zero waste to landfills by 2030.

• And it’s making progress: through partnerships with local waste management companies, in 2023 Henkel converted three of its U.S. sites to redirection rather than disposal of production waste from their operations—that is, they have established processes to keep materials out of landfills. Some of the ways they do this are to recycle or reuse items rather than throw them away.
• Meanwhile, some 82% of Henkel’s global facilities had already been doing the same.

A symbiotic relationship: Pursuing sustainable methods is both a business and moral imperative for the company, which will celebrate 148 years of business in September.

• “As climate change becomes a bigger challenge for everyone to tackle, it becomes increasingly necessary to prioritize sustainability as part of your business,” Olsen said.
• “And sustainability is good business for us and our customers. There’s a price benefit there. For example, when you lower the temperatures or reduce process steps at our industrial process customers, energy and material usage will be lower, maintenance of the equipment becomes less frequent and you can run longer without stopping, which saves money.”

Stronger together: “To make sure the planet’s resources can sustain us and our kids for generations, we will need to tackle the sustainability challenge of how to use less energy, fewer materials, less water,” Olsen concluded.

• “That’s a big challenge, and I’m a firm believer that it needs to be tackled collaboratively. I believe the business leaders of today play a decisive role in how we will do that.”

This story has been edited.

Washington, D.C. – Following the bipartisan passage of the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 markup in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Manufacturers have been calling attention to the consequences of America’s broken permitting process for years, while building a case for reform. Both sides of the aisle now realize that these critical updates will enable Congress to achieve its broader energy goals and the development of:

• Renewable energy projects;
• Pipelines for traditional energy, hydrogen and carbon capture storage;
• Critical mineral mines and processing facilities;
• Semiconductor and battery manufacturing fabs;
• Interstate transmission lines; and
• Hydroelectric and nuclear power plants.

“These developments are absolutely critical for us to be able to compete with China. As this legislation progresses, many of the commonsense policies outlined in the Energy Permitting Reform Act will help unlock the full potential of our industry, bolster our nation’s energy security and create American jobs. Streamlining permitting processes, cutting red tape, requiring that federal agencies make timely decisions and reducing the potential for baseless litigation will help prevent years-long delays for manufacturers—delays that give other countries a distinct advantage and put our own security at risk. America should never be content with a system that can take 10 or 15 years to approve urgently needed projects, when approval can take a fifth of that time in other countries that still adhere to high standards.

“We thank Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso for introducing this legislation and look forward to working with lawmakers to advance it.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.89 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.