Representatives from Lion Electric joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Illinois, and Illinois industry, economic and workforce development leaders for a roundtable discussion focused on the future of transportation, including the deployment of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and supporting infrastructure, as well as energy independence, earlier this week.
"This is a proud moment to have U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, speak with us about how we can all work together to tackle climate change by investing in jobs, technologies, processes and products that are better for the environment and future generations," said Nate Baguio, senior vice president of commercial development at Lion Electric. "In order to reach the U.S.' net-zero emissions goal and combat climate change, the dual decarbonization of the energy and transportation sectors is critical. To succeed, industry needs to collaborate closely with the Department of Energy and lawmakers to implement ambitious programs that will speed our transition to a clean economy."
Granholm noted the additional $62 billion made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for spending on clean energy and infrastructure. It includes funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging, next-generation technologies for carbon capture, EV battery storage, and funding to strengthen the power grid for these needs.
Participants in the roundtable discussed the environmental opportunities and issues affecting rural, suburban, and urban communities. The roundtable focused on how reducing carbon emissions can help lead to energy neutrality and how green jobs are the future for the manufacturing industry.
Other attendees included:
Parker Meeks, chief strategy officer at Hyzon Motors;
Dr. B.J. Johnson, CEO and co-founder of ClearFlame Engine Technologies;
Doug Pryor, president and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development;
Dan Seals, CEO of Intersect Illinois; Lisa Schvach, executive director of WorkNet DuPage;
Jump Murphy, president and corporate business leader of Invenergy;
Dr. Joe Cassidy, assistant vice president of economic development and dean of continuing education and public services at the College of DuPage; and
Kevin Burns, Mayor of Geneva, Illinois and chairman for the environment committee and energy subcommittee of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus of Chicago.
The roundtable conversation also included discussions on how the $7.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help drive job growth, advance the EV industry, and focus on addressing climate change in the U.S. Baguio represented Lion Electric in the roundtable, discussing the deployment of all-electric heavy-duty trucks and school buses, as well as Lion's impact on the local Illinois economy and collaboration with the Department of Energy.
In April 2022, Lion signed onto a Memorandum of Understanding with the DOE aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of vehicle-to-everything technologies, including vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-building functionalities. Lion was the only school bus manufacturer selected by the DOE to sign onto the agreement, according to a press release.
Lion is building its 900,000 square foot facility in Joliet, Illinois. Production is expected to start this fall. It will be the company's largest facility in the U.S.
