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Hagan powers up for NC clean energy jobs
Story Date: 11/7/2011
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 11/4/11
United States Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC), today joined FMC Lithium in Bessemer City to announce a $50 million investment in new equipment, new upgrades, and new high skilled-jobs. Headquartered in North Carolina for more than 50 years, FMC Lithium is one of only three global manufacturers capable of producing the material necessary to power advanced lithium batteries, which are essential to developing electric vehicles and smart grid technologies. North Carolina accounts for almost 75 percent of our country’s lithium production.
“I am proud to say that because of companies like FMC Lithium, the state of North Carolina is now a leader in clean energy innovations—not just in the United States, but across the globe,” said Hagan. “This $50 million investment demonstrates FMC’s commitment to grow in our state. My four favorite words are 'Made in North Carolina,’ and FMC and our clean energy companies are spreading that label across the world.”
“We really appreciated Senator Hagan’s visit to FMC Lithium’s Bessemer City Plant to commemorate the start up of our new ultra pure battery metal process,” said Jon Evans, General Manager of FMC Lithium. “This represents the first of several multi-million dollar investments we will make in the Bessemer City plant over the next 2-3 years to grow our capacity and capabilities to serve the energy storage market. FMC has always been a leader in providing the highest quality materials for energy storage applications and the Bessemer City plant has and will play a critical part in continuing our growth and success.”
Earlier this year, Hagan introduced a jobs bill to provide grants for research and development of next-generation lithium products. Hagan's legislation would encourage companies, including FMC Lithium, to conduct research and development that would bring advanced battery production to the United States. For more information, click here.
“I was proud to introduce legislation--the Powering America's Lithium Production Act--to authorize $40 million in Department of Energy grants to encourage U.S. companies to supply lithium products for advanced lithium-ion batteries,” said Hagan. “This legislation enables our lithium manufacturers to keep pace with escalating demand, while encouraging them to invest in innovative technologies here at home. This will bring advanced lithium production, and jobs, to North Carolina and the country.”
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