U.S. Senator Schumer Shows Off B.U. Lithium-Ion Battery Research

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is showing off state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery production and cutting-edge research in the field in Broome County on the heels of the award of $63-million in federal America Rescue Plan funding for Binghamton University’s New Energy New York proposal. 

The Democrat hosted the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Castillo Thursday, October 20 for a tour of Binghamton University’s research and development facilities and the Huron Campus in Endicott where Imperium 3 New York began production of lithium-ion batteries in August. 

The U.S. Senate Majority leader has been touting areas of the Southern Tier, Western and Central New York as prime locations for investment in growing the energy storage industry, moving the U.S. away from its reliance on China for lithium batteries to run everything from cell phones to electric vehicles. 

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Schumer says the Southern Tier has a once-in-a-generation chance to become the future of battery research and manufacturing for the country. 

Schumer says he invited Castillo to tour the region to show her and the Biden Administration firsthand how federal investment through the American Rescue Plan in the Southern Tier is moving forward research, development and manufacturing while generating more jobs. 

Earlier this month, Micron announced its plans to invest in a massive battery manufacturing facility near Syracuse while Zinc8 has made moves to invest in the Hudson Valley. Recently, Li-Cycle in Rochester announced plans to open a new North American hub for its battery recycling operations.
Schumer, Secretary Castillo and coalition partners held a roundtable discussion yesterday to discuss the ongoing projects as well as supply chain issues.