The Trump administration’s recent decision to terminate various federal clean energy awards includes an $87 million grant designated for Sublime Systems, a low-carbon cement plant located in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
This announcement was made by U.S. Energy Secretary Christopher Wright on May 30, highlighting the cancellation of 24 separate awards from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, totaling over $3.7 billion.
Most of these awards, including the one allocated to Sublime Systems, were issued in the final weeks of President Joe Biden’s tenure, according to Wright’s office.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Energy explained that they found these projects to be economically unviable and not capable of providing a positive return on taxpayer investment.
The cancellation is part of a broader shift in energy policy under President Donald Trump, who has favored fossil fuels over clean technology initiatives like offshore wind power that were prioritized during the Biden administration.
As Massachusetts officials begin implementing a $400 million public capital support program for climate technology, the reversal of this federal award adds a layer of uncertainty to the landscape.
The Sublime Systems grant originated on November 4, 2024, the Department of Energy confirmed on Friday.
Although Wright’s announcement did not disclose specific projects impacted by the terminations, a spokesperson later shared the details, including Sublime’s award, which is based on technology developed at MIT.
Earlier in May, the Energy Department expressed intentions to scrutinize financial assistance on a case-by-case basis as part of a strategy to identify wastage of taxpayer dollars, uphold national security, and advance Trump’s aims of affordable energy.
Wright remarked in a previous memorandum that the department had been reviewing the immense funding that was allocated rapidly in the closing days of the Biden administration, revealing concerning findings.
In an interview held on Monday, Sublime Systems’ Senior Vice President of Business Development, Joe Hicken, expressed their disappointment over this decision, emphasizing that their mission aligns with the administration’s focus on home-grown products.
Hicken described the award termination as a product of “the fog of war” occurring during the early days of the administration, suggesting a potential for future dialogue on the issue.
Sublime Systems recently announced their establishment of a Distribution Channel Partner program, collaborating with major general contractors that collectively generate over $60 billion in annual revenues, including firms like Turner Construction and Suffolk.
CEO and Co-Founder Leah Ellis stated that these contractors are responding to a growing demand for advanced cement that is clean and energy efficient.
On May 22, Sublime Systems also secured a deal with Microsoft, committing to supply up to 623,000 tons of cement products from their upcoming commercial factory over the next six to nine years.
Sublime’s plans for using the $87 million federal award were aimed at enhancing American cement manufacturing, modernizing operations, and bolstering domestic supply chains.
Hicken noted that the company is currently evaluating alternatives for building the Holyoke plant without the federal support.
Demonstrating resilience, he affirmed that Sublime has undertaken rigorous scenario planning to navigate this setback effectively.
Congressman Richard Neal, representing Holyoke, criticized the Trump administration’s decision to cancel essential clean energy projects, labeling it a betrayal of American innovation and a threat to jobs related to climate change initiatives.
Neal emphasized the award’s significance, noting it stemmed from the Inflation Reduction Act, which he led in the Ways and Means Committee.
He articulated that abandoning funding for innovative projects jeopardizes advancements made in reducing carbon emissions in heavy industries, while also threatening economic development in areas that need it the most.
Neal warned that prioritizing fossil fuels over clean technologies will undermine America’s global competitiveness, calling the administration’s approach shortsighted.
The $87 million funding was part of the Industrial Demonstrations Program, which sought to accelerate decarbonization in energy-intensive industries and provide a competitive edge for American manufacturers in the global market for low and net-zero carbon manufacturing.
In conjunction with the funding news, Suffolk Technologies, a venture capital platform associated with Suffolk Construction, announced an investment in Sublime Systems and declared pre-purchases from the Holyoke manufacturing plant’s capacity.
Jit Kee Chin, co-founder of Suffolk Technologies, hailed the investment as a commitment to the sustainable future of construction.
The expansion of the Sublime Systems project is poised to open in Holyoke in 2027, exemplifying ongoing innovation efforts in clean cement manufacturing despite the recent federal setbacks.
image source from：https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/10/sublime-systems-clean-cement-federal-award-loss
