Cortez Masto announces $107 million for lithium battery companies

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., has announced the award of $107 million to support companies that make and recycle lithium battery components.

A total of $57.7 million of that total will go to the American Battery Technology Company to develop lithium extraction techniques in Tonopah.

In addition, $50 million will be awarded by the Department of Energy to Lilac Solutions to develop a lithium manufacturing facility in Fernley.

Those two awards will support 300 new jobs in Nevada and boost the economy of those two communities.

She said the funding was made possible by her push to include money for battery processing and component manufacturing in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

She said Nevada is leading the way in domestic battery manufacturing and these awards will help turn into lasting economic growth.