The United States pushes forward the Battery Localization Strategy traditional Coal States will occupy an important part of Lithium Power supply chain

Us Energy Secretary Jennifer Granhom and Democratic Senator Joe Manchin announced a plan to produce lithium batteries in the United States on Friday. Appalachian, the main distribution area of coal in the United States, will gradually transition to clean energy and will occupy an important part of the lithium battery supply chain in the United States in the future.

The Appalachian region consists of 13 states, including West Virginia, represented by Democratic Senator Manchin, which has the largest coal reserves in the United States. West Virginia, rich in coal mines, is the second-largest coal-producing state in the United States, which relies on coal for 91% of its energy needs.

Battery maker Sparkz announced on Friday that it plans to start building a super factory in West Virginia this year to commercialize cobalt-free batteries. Sparkz, an American battery start-up, was founded at the end of 2019 and was licensed exclusively for five battery technologies by the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory ((ORNL)). Sparkz is currently developing a cobalt-free battery technology in Knoxville, Tennessee.

"US leadership in the global battery supply chain will depend not only on innovation, but also on our skilled engineers, designers, scientists and production workers," Glenhom said in a statement. "

To get rid of its dependence on overseas markets, the Biden government is actively promoting the layout of domestic battery supply chains, from key mineral mining to battery manufacturing to waste battery recycling.

Manchin said making batteries in the United States is a key step in reducing dependence on foreign countries and ensuring energy security.

As an alternative within the Democratic Party, Manchin is a long-time advocate of the coal industry in West Virginia.

Mr Manchin is seen as a key factor in Biden's economic and climate agenda. Just last week, Ruskin, Biden's nominee for vice chairman of the Federal Reserve, withdrew his nomination because of his opposition. Ruskin's aggressive stance on climate change is an important reason why Republicans and Manchin oppose her.

The U.S. government also announced on Friday that it would allocate nearly $215 million to clean up abandoned coal mines in West Virginia. The United States Environmental Protection Agency will provide money to a non-profit organization in the state for vocational training and environmental clean-up.