WASHINGTON, DC – May 11, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) applauded the news that the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) will be awarded nearly $1 million from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program to help keep Nevada at the forefront of the transition to clean energy. The funding, which was made available from the Rosen-backed bipartisan CHIPS And Science Act, will be used to support research at UNR into lithium extraction, and the development and recycling of lithium batteries. This project will also help train the next generation of workers in the growing lithium industry in Nevada, including through the creation of a certificate for lithium battery production and recycling and a Batteries Technology minor at UNR. Nevada contains the only operating lithium mine in the U.S. and one of the country’s largest deposits of lithium.
“Nevada is uniquely positioned to help supply the United States’ demand for lithium batteries that will power our nation’s clean energy future,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m glad to have helped secure this funding through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to begin establishing a robust lithium supply chain in Nevada and help train the next generation clean energy workforce.”
Senator Rosen has worked to bolster Nevada’s lithium battery production and supply chain. Senator Rosen’s provision to promote the use of critical minerals and develop a secure and reliable critical mineral supply chain was included in the CHIPS and Science Act, which became law last year. Senator Rosen also helped secure over $7 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen the U.S. battery supply chain, including sourcing, production, and recycling of critical minerals. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen helped secure $2 billion for the construction and expansion of a battery materials center located in McCarran, Nevada that will create nearly 5,000 clean energy jobs. Senator Rosen also strongly supported the Department of Energy’s commitment to loan $700 million to Nevada to mine lithium from the Rhyolite Ridge project in Esmeralda County, Nevada.
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