E3 Success Story - Transforming and Promoting Sustainable Manufacturing in Alabama

Alabama E3

Formally launched in May 2010, the Alabama E3 pilot program primarily focused on the automotive manufacturing sector supply chain. The Alabama Technology Network (ATN), worked with several state and local partners including the Alabama Industrial Assessment Center (AIAC), local governments, utilities, universities, and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Energy Office to leverage financing for the E3 Program.

Alabama E3 is expanding to other manufacturing sectors and expanding its scope. Alabama E3 now includes a workforce training and education component. The program is also developing a new innovation engineering "green" module that focuses on assisting companies to identify new innovative "green" processes, products and/or marketing plans/materials to reduce waste and improve sustainability.

Funding

In total, Alabama has secured over $2.1 million dollars to support lean, clean and energy assessments, technical assistance, and workforce training in order to transform and promote sustainable manufacturing in Alabama.

• ATN and AIAC collaborated to secure $330K in Department of Energy American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for lean and energy assessments for 32 manufacturers.
• An additional $600K ARRA funds was awarded for 40 energy kaizen events for automotive suppliers.
• The Tennessee Valley Authority contributed $140K for Lean and Green training for manufacturers.
• ATN also received $400,000 from NIST MEP to build upon the initial Alabama E3 efforts in the automotive sector and to expand the services to other manufacturing industries in the state.
• ATN and other partners were awarded an additional $425K in Department of Labor ARRA funds to develop and deliver the workforce training and education component of E3.
• Former Governor Riley approved a $25M Energy Revolving Loan Fund supported with DOE funding to assist manufacturers to improve energy efficiency. This fund leveraged an additional $35 million from local lending partners for a total fund of $60 million. This program, known as "Alabama Saves," provides low-interest long-term financing to support energy efficiency projects for manufacturers. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs – Energy Office administers the program with program management provided by Abundant Power.