Advancing Sustainability and Clean Energy: MI2 Releases Two RFPs for Kentucky's Metals Industry

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This week, the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) has released two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) tied to major initiatives with our Sustainability strategic focus area. With a focus on metals recycling and clean energy needs for the Kentucky metals industry in the coming years, MI2 is supporting the metals industry as they continue to strive to create a reliable, sustainable, economic, and circular domestic metals supply chain.

The first RFP calls upon prospective applicants to delve into the feasibility of amplifying recycling efforts within the state's metals industry. This involves assessing the current volume of recycled materials utilized as feedstock, quantifying the potential economic benefits of heightened recycling, benchmarking against best practices from other regions, and formulating strategies to augment recycling rates by at least 10%. By scrutinizing post-consumer metals as well as end-of-life or in-process scrap metal, MI2 aims to bolster the availability of raw materials for metal companies while reducing environmental impact.

Simultaneously, MI2 is seeking proposals for a strategic 5-year plan that encompasses sustainability and clean energy initiatives tailored to Kentucky's diverse metals industry landscape. From raw metals companies to recyclers and metal fabrication facilities, the plan will address sustainability, clean energy adoption, waste heat management, alternative energy supply, and energy transmission. The plan's deliverables include a comprehensive industry landscape description, a review of existing clean energy plans, strategic frameworks, and recommendations for a 5-year clean energy roadmap, as well as impact assessments for upcoming energy transmission regulations.

Interested parties should reach out to MI2's COO, Summer Goldman. Companies must then respond to express their intent to participate by May 15th. All responses to both RFPs are due by June 1st. Contact Summer at summer.goldman@mi2ky.org.

By fostering increased recycling rates and facilitating the adoption of clean energy practices, Kentucky stands to reap both environmental and economic rewards. Not only will these efforts enhance a sustainable metals circular economy; they will also catalyze job creation, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen Kentucky’s leadership in metals innovation.