Energy.gov reported that senior Advisor in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Mr Gil Sperling joined local officials and company representatives for the ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the ArcelorMittal steel manufacturing plant in East Chicago Indiana.
ArcelorMittal unveiled a new energy recovery and reuse boiler that recycles waste gas generated through its iron making process and uses it to generate electricity to help power the plant.
The US Department of Energy awarded ArcelorMittal USD 31.6 million for their boiler project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which was matched by the company. The company expects this energy recovery boiler to generate 333,000 MW hours of power annually of its own electricity the equivalent of powering 30,000 American homes per year and to save the facility nearly USD 20 million in energy costs each year. Senior Advisor Mr Sperling highlighted the Obama Administration’s all of the above strategy to strengthen US competitiveness in clean energy manufacturing.
Mr Sperling Senior Advisor said that through investments in energy saving technologies such as innovative energy recovery and reuse systems the Administration is taking steps to strengthen American manufacturing and boosting energy efficiency for businesses across the nation. Cutting edge energy efficiency projects help businesses cut costs, increase efficiency, and create strong, middle class jobs.
An estimated 360 jobs were supported by the design construction and manufacturing of the equipment for the project most significantly the new boiler which was made in Erie Pennsylvania by Indeck Keystone Energy. The project also employed 200 local construction workers at the plant site. In addition the new boiler makes the Indiana Harbor plant, the largest steel manufacturing facility in North America more competitive in the global steel market. Indiana Harbor employs approximately 6,000 workers.
Mr Pete Visclosky a US Representative said that the 504 Boiler Project at Indiana Harbor is a major step forward for Northwest Indiana jobs. With the new boiler the facility will improve its internal power generation reduce carbon emissions and provide a reliable source of electric power for a lower price. Each of these efficiencies will improve competitiveness which means good paying jobs for Northwest Indiana workers. I thank the City of East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland Representative Mr Earl Harris Mr Senator Lonnie Randolph the United Steelworkers ArcelorMittal and the US Department of Energy for their unrelenting efforts to bring this project to completion.
This project also showcases one of many efforts outlined in President Obama’s Executive Order to accelerate and expand industrial energy efficiency with investments that reduce energy use through more efficient manufacturing technologies and processes. This includes the expanded use of efficient on site energy recovery systems as deployed by the ArcelorMittal project.
