The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) issued a strong statement in response to the Department of Energy’s surprising decision to abruptly terminate funding for multiple industrial decarbonization projects — including shovel-ready initiatives from U.S. glass manufacturers — while allowing projects from other material sectors, such as steel and aluminum to move forward.
“Domestic glass manufacturers across the country are advancing energy-efficient technologies, reducing emissions, and working to try and keep jobs onshore,” said Scott DeFife, President of GPI.
“The Department’s decision to cut funding from our sector while continuing to support others creates a clear disparity that must be addressed if the Administration is serious about supporting balanced, domestic, long-term industrial progress.”
The Department’s termination notices cited narrow interpretations of compliance standards and program alignment. Glass manufacturing recipients were informed that their projects did not “effectuate current priorities” and lacked full-scope emissions modeling — despite providing shovel-ready, technologically sound, and financially responsible decarbonization strategies in support of the next generation of American manufacturing careers.
GPI points out that the impacted glass-focused projects in fact would increase operational efficiencies, reduce energy-source use, alongside connected plant emissions.
Glass manufacturing has been present in the United States for decades, with some plant sites started over a century ago. The industry represents a fully domestic, vertically integrated supply chain. From raw material extraction to recycling, production can and does occur entirely within the United States, supporting more than 13,000 high-quality jobs across the country. North American labor and environmental standards are higher, and the American glass industry has been working to recapitalize its facilities while bringing on new technologies to maintain competitiveness.
“Glass industry jobs are held by hard-working American tradesmen and women — union workers, skilled technicians and innovators among them — showing up every day to make a domestic product that’s essential to our food, beverage, and pharmaceutical supply chains, non-toxic, an essential, endlessly recyclable package,” said DeFife.
Other Federal agencies have recognized the important role domestic glass plays to product supply chains, and to the pressure domestic suppliers are under from cheaper production from China.
GPI is calling on Department of Energy leadership to meet with industry stakeholders to ensure future opportunities reflect the full range of American manufacturing. Glass, like steel and aluminum, is essential and fundamental to U.S. infrastructure, food security and consumer protection.
“We’re not asking for special treatment, we’re demanding fair treatment. Glass is an often overlooked American success story, and it’s unacceptable to see vetted projects that advance American manufacturing competitiveness cut,” said DeFife. “The Department should lean into glass, not ignore it."
Learn More: To understand the scale, value, and national security benefits of the U.S. glass industry, GPI has released a presidential policy fact sheet:
Glass Packaging: A Strategic Investment in American Industry (PDF)
Learn more at www.gpi.org.