Charleston Leader

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), along with other West Virginia officials, announced that Form Energy has been selected for an award negotiation of up to $150 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programs. This funding will support Form Factory 1 in Weirton, W.Va., as part of the more than $6 billion included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to bolster a domestic battery supply chain.

“When I was crafting and negotiating the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), delivering support for manufacturing initiatives in West Virginia was an impact I knew we could make. Form Energy is providing a needed boost to the manufacturing industry in our state, specifically to the Weirton community. During my visit to the facility this summer, I saw how their embrace of new technological capabilities will help America continue to lead the way in energy innovation. This grant through the IIJA will expand Form Energy’s production and workforce, and will help continue West Virginia’s proud tradition of being an energy state,” Ranking Member Capito said.

“West Virginian workers and families have made the hard sacrifices to power our country to greatness and become a global energy leader. With today’s investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are continuing to ensure that we are producing the materials needed to protect our nation’s energy independence right here in the Mountain State,” Senator Manchin said. “I was proud to secure this funding and I am thrilled that Form Energy will be able to utilize it to create good-paying jobs in Weirton and help preserve our legacy as America’s Energy Powerhouse for decades to come.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the Department of Energy, Senator Manchin, Senator Moore Capito, and the many state and local leaders from West Virginia who provided pivotal support on the path to this award selection. This selection will enable us to more rapidly scale up our manufacturing capabilities and hire hundreds of skilled workers at Form Factory 1. We’re proud to help contribute to the growth of a clean, domestic, and independent energy economy in America. And we’re honored to do it alongside a strong local workforce, right here from West Virginia,” Mateo Jaramillo, Co-Founder and CEO of Form Energy said.

“With its investment in Form Energy and Weirton, the U.S. Department of Energy is acknowledging that West Virginia is an ideal place for all-of-the-above energy development and manufacturing,” West Virginia Secretary of Economic Development Mitch Carmichael said. “Thanks to the encouragement and support of Senators Manchin and Capito, this backing will ensure even greater success in the Mountain State.”

“With our robust history and past successes in heavy industry, Northern Panhandle has paved the way for Form Energy and other innovative companies to be successful here in West Virginia,” Anthony Clements, Executive Director of Business Development Corporation of Northern Panhandle said. “This funding from DOE shows unanimous support from our state leaders including Senators Manchin and Capito for our region. I am thrilled we have this opportunity for Form Energy's growth right here.”

“For years as a result of decline or closure within its steel industry people believed Weirton's days as manufacturing hub were over," State Senator Ryan Weld noted."Now thanks significant investments made by both State & DOE plus leadership shown by both senators there renewed excitement future products manufactured locally."

This announcement follows Ranking Member Capito's letter urging DOE include alternative battery types such iron-air batteries manufactured by Form among grant awards .Once awarded company plans rapid commercial-scale production expansion employing at least 600 employees operating up-to 20 GWh/yr iron-air batteries.