DOE cancels Sublime Systems' $87M award for its Holyoke cement plant

Sublime Systems/Holyoke plant

Energy Secretary Chris Wright terminated 24 Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations awards worth over $3.7 billion, including Sublime Systems' $87 million grant for a low-carbon cement plant in Holyoke, Massachusetts. DOE cited lack of economic viability; Sublime said it hoped to reverse the decision.

• 24 awards totalling $3.7 billion terminated on May 30, 2025; the DOE said projects 'failed to advance energy needs, were not economically viable and would not generate positive return on taxpayer dollars.'
• Sublime's electrochemical process skips the fossil-fired kiln, significantly cutting carbon emissions compared to traditional cement production.
• Sublime remains in talks with DOE and is exploring alternative scale-up paths; the grant was awarded under the Biden administration in March 2024.