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Semiconductor industry

California Companies Receive $1.7 Million in Grants for Innovative Energy-Saving Technologies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

California has taken a significant step towards reducing pollution and promoting energy efficiency with the announcement of $1.7 million in grants for five state companies that have developed innovative technologies to save energy, cut pollution, and encourage recycling. The U.S. Department of Energy's NICE3 program, which stands for National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics, has awarded these grants to encourage private industry to adopt new technologies that prevent industrial pollution and benefit the nation's economy, environment, and energy use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The California Energy Commission, in partnership with 10 state agencies, solicited the awards from the U.S. Department of Energy, which had $5 million available in the NICE3 program.
  • The maximum award was $400,000, and the national average was $250,000, with California's grants ranging in size from $301,000 to $425,000.
  • The five companies receiving grants include:

+ Pacific Clay Products, a brick manufacturing company with an innovative design for brick kilns that uses half the natural gas and emits 40% less pollution.

+ Tri-Valley Growers, an olive processing plant that recycles water, cuts down on pollution, and produces animal feed from material previously discarded as waste.

+ MBA Polymers Inc., a plastics company that developed a way to recover and reuse plastic from automobiles, appliances, and electronic and electrical equipment.

+ Louisiana Pacific, a pulp and paper company that will reconfigure its plant to a closed system eliminating the discharge of pollutants and wastewater.

+ ANON Inc., a company that will eliminate the need for hazardous, toxic cleaning agents used in the manufacture of semiconductors.

  • The awarded projects are expected to prevent 163 million tons of pollution nationwide and save industrial users over $6.8 billion by 2010.
  • California's success in the NICE3 program demonstrates the state's commitment to promoting energy efficiency and reducing pollution.

Statistics:

  • Total amount of grants awarded: $1,700,000
  • Maximum award: $400,000
  • National average: $250,000
  • Number of projects: 14
  • Total pollution prevention: 163 million tons nationwide
  • Total savings: $6.8 billion by 2010
  • Number of state agencies partnering: 10
  • Total amount of program funding: $5 million

Sources:

  • California Energy Commission, PRNewswire, July 10, 1995
  • U.S. Department of Energy, NICE3 program
  • California Energy Commission news releases
  • Business Meeting agendas and other information available on the Internet at http://www.energy.ca.gov/energy/homepage.html and gopher://gopher.energy.ca.gov

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