DOE ANNOUNCES LOAN CONDITIONAL COMMITMENT TOWARD $2.4B WABASH VALLEY
RESOURCES PROJECT TO PRODUCE LOW-CARBON FERTILIZER AND REVITALIZE COAL
COMMUNITY
WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind., September 16, 2024 – In a groundbreaking move to bolster
American agriculture and improve air quality, the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs
Office has announced a conditional commitment of a $1.559 billion loan—toward a total
investment of $2.4 billion—to Wabash Valley Resources (WVR), a pioneer in low-carbon
anhydrous ammonia fertilizer production. This historic investment is one of the single largest
efforts to increase the supply of domestically produced fertilizer and displace imported
ammonia supply to the Eastern Corn Belt.
WVR’s innovative approach of utilizing industrial waste in combination with carbon capture
has the potential to be the United States’ first carbon-negative ammonia production process.
Enhancing Food Security and Opening New Markets for American Farmers
By producing ammonia domestically, WVR is set to play a crucial role in alleviating a
restricted supply chain in the Eastern Corn Belt. Furthermore, WVR’s efforts will support the
production of low-carbon corn and ethanol, expanding American farmers’ access to
domestic and international markets that value green attributes.
Revitalizing a Coal Community
The $2.4 billion investment is not only a victory for the agricultural sector but also a catalyst
for revitalizing a community that has been deeply affected by the decline of coal-related
industries. This initiative is expected to create over 1,100 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally,
it will create at least 500 union construction jobs. WVR is proud to build on its long-standing
tradition of employing a unionized workforce for construction and maintenance by signing
the National Maintenance Agreement.
Transformational Partnerships Driving Innovation
The development of WVR’s project has garnered support from esteemed organizations.
Climate Investment, a specialized decarbonization investor founded by eleven world-leading
energy companies, was an early investor in WVR’s carbon capture initiatives. Baker Hughes,
an energy technology leader, has been a long-term partner, aiding WVR’s geological
sequestration efforts, and will supply advanced technology and equipment. Honeywell, a
global leader in the energy transition, played a crucial role in designing WVR’s carbon
capture process, utilizing its cryogenic gas separation technology. Samsung E&A America, a
global engineering firm with a strong commitment to energy transition in the U.S., is
supporting the overall facility design.
According to Dan Williams, WVR’s chief operating officer, “This close to a-decade-long
development phase has been made possible through the dedicated efforts of the
Department of Energy, the building trades unions, and our strategic partners. WVR is thrilled
to be at the forefront of a new industrial era that harmonizes environmental, social, and
economic benefits, and we cannot thank our partners enough.”
What They Are Saying
“This project is a win for working families, bringing quality construction jobs to a community
that has long relied on coal. By transforming industrial waste into a valuable resource, we
are not just cleaning up our environment; we are also putting skilled tradespeople to work,
ensuring that the benefits of this project are felt where they are needed most. This is exactly
the kind of forward-thinking development that supports both workers and our
communities,” said Kenneth Cooper, international president of the International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
“Creating a large new source of anhydrous ammonia in Indiana would be of enormous
benefit to Hoosier farmers. And, manufacturing fertilizer with a low carbon rating is even
more powerful,” said Don Villwock, former president of Indiana Farm Bureau and a farmer in
Edwardsport, Indiana.
“This significant investment by the Department of Energy is a historic step toward
increasing the supply of domestically produced, low-carbon fertilizers. It supports the
revitalization of a coal community that has suffered job losses from the decline of coal
mining and power generation while also addressing the carbon intensity of our farming and
food industries,” said former State Senator Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute).
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Wabash Valley Resources LLC (WVR) is a pioneer in low-carbon ammonia fertilizer
production. WVR has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy
Technology Laboratory (NETL), other preeminent national labs, and state geological surveys
to advance, develop, and validate technologies that enable safe and permanent geologic
storage of carbon dioxide. The company will be one of the first suppliers of low-carbon
fertilizer in the Eastern Corn Belt, supporting the decarbonization of farming practices. Visit
us at wvresc.com.
