Polis Administration Invests $32.8 Million to Reduce Air Pollution

Funding will support reducing greenhouse gas and other harmful air pollution at industrial facilities across the state

Denver - The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) announced $32.8 million in awards for industrial emissions reduction projects in Colorado Tuesday, which are expected to avoid annual emissions equivalent to removing more than 81,000 gas-powered cars from Colorado roads. These initiatives will also reduce other harmful pollution to improve local air quality in communities near these facilities.

This is the fourth and largest round of awards to date through the Colorado Industrial Tax Credit Offering (CITCO), which has previously awarded $8.7 million in funding through the first three application cycles. In addition to CITCO funding, the Polis administration has also provided $20.2 million for industrial emissions reduction projects through the Clean Air Program grant, totaling $61.7 million of investment between these two programs to reduce air pollution from industrial operations.

"Decreasing emissions protects Colorado's environment and reduces air pollution. Colorado industries help drive Colorado's economy and create good-paying jobs for Coloradans. Helping important industries reduce pollution protects our air and communities. I look forward to seeing how these investments help keep Coloradans healthy and protect our air quality," said Governor Polis.

The industry and manufacturing sector is among the top five leading sources of greenhouse gas pollution in Colorado, and is also a major contributor of other pollution that impacts local air quality.

"With the industrial sector being one of the five largest sources of greenhouse gas pollution in the state, this program is so important when it comes to helping provide cleaner pathways for Colorado's industrial operations," said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. "This round of awards shows just how innovative companies can be when it comes to embracing low-carbon technologies that move us closer to our climate goals while lowering long-term costs and boosting air quality."

CEO made six awards during the current funding cycle for projects representing several innovative technologies to decrease pollution from industrial processes, ranging from carbon capture to high efficiency heat pumps to waste heat recovery. The awarded projects will address emissions associated with the food and beverage, consumer products, waste, and carbon management industries in the state. The Cycle 4 CITCO awardees are as follows:

• Anthropocene Colorado LLC ($8 million) - Keenesburg, CO: Anthropocene is planning to install a biomethane collection technology that removes contaminants such as plastic and glass and converts waste and compostable packaging into sterile, usable compost. This is the first deployment of this technology in the United States.
• S2G/SEG Carbon LLC ($8 million) - Sterling, CO: S2G/SEG Carbon LLC is a carbon management developer that will install permanent carbon storage systems for two ethanol plants.
• 855400 LLC - (S7.2 million) - Location TBD: 855400 LLC is receiving funding for multiple projects including high efficiency electric pumps, industrial process equipment electrification, and waste heat recovery systems.
• Third Pillar Solar LLC ($5.2 million) - Golden, CO: Third Pillar Solar is an as-a-service provider and will install a battery energy storage system (BESS) to help manage a facility's electrical load and reduce electricity use during periods of high demand on the electric grid.
• Generate EE Curaturus LLC ($4.1 million) - Denver, CO: Generate EE Curaturus LLC is a service provider planning multiple emissions reduction projects at the Purina Dog Food factory such as waste heat recovery, biomethane collection and utilization, and industrial process changes.
• Origen Carbon Solutions Inc. ($180,000) - Location TBD: Origen Carbon Solutions Inc. will conduct a Preliminary Front-End Engineering and Design study to explore deployment of its first-of-its-kind, zero-emission lime kiln technology in Colorado.

Three of these projects will be located in communities that are disproportionately impacted by industrial air pollution, and one project will be located in the ozone nonattainment area.

The CITCO program opens applications twice annually and is currently accepting applications for the fifth application cycle until June 30. More information about eligibility and how to apply is available on the CITCO program webpage.

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