President Donald Trump may cancel an additional $12 billion in Department of Energy funding for clean energy projects, adding to the cuts announced last week.
The Department of Energy funding in question for Ascend Elements’ project in Hopkinsville is $316 million. However, the potential cancellation of this federal money is not anticipated to affect the local project.
Tony Prim, Associate Director of Business Retention & Expansion for the Southwest Kentucky Economic Development Council, told Your News Edge that the company is still proceeding full steam ahead on its current plans.
Other local sources indicate that Ascend Elements has every intention of continuing its plans for Christian County and beyond.
This commitment comes despite the company facing several challenges in 2025, including laying off over 80 employees, with about 20 positions tied to the Hopkinsville location, and the cancellation of a $164 million federal grant intended for its Kentucky plant.
Late Thursday afternoon, Ascend Elements President & CEO Linh Austin provided this paraphrased statement to the News Edge:
Ascend Elements says the loss of the DOE grant will not affect its long-term plans. The company continues to produce more than 99% pure recycled lithium carbonate at commercial scale in Georgia and aims to expand production in the U.S. and Europe to about 15,000 metric tons annually by 2027. Executives said the company will offset the canceled grant through private investment, project financing, strategic pre-payments, and international incentives, including support already secured in the European Union. The Kentucky Apex 1 project remains part of its strategy, with construction expected to resume in 2026. Company leaders emphasized that growth is driven by customer demand, operational efficiency, and its Hydro-to-Cathode® recycling technology rather than government grants.
