GPI leaders argue that their industry’s proposals were well-aligned with federal climate goals and based on proven, energy-efficient technologies. Yet DOE officials cited compliance issues and questioned whether the glass sector projects reflected current program priorities.
The industry contends these rejections were based on narrow interpretations and inconsistent criteria. According to GPI, the proposed projects would have delivered measurable emissions reductions and enhanced energy performance across glass manufacturing operations.
DOE’s uneven approach, industry stakeholders say, risks undermining the administration’s public commitments to supporting a broad cross-section of American manufacturing. The decision also threatens progress toward emissions targets within an important—but often overlooked—industrial sector.
Glass manufacturing in the U.S. is deeply integrated into critical supply chains, supporting industries ranging from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals. With production and recycling operations fully contained within U.S. borders, the sector supports more than 13,000 American jobs. Many facilities have been operating for generations, embedding the sector within longstanding regional economies.
At the same time, the industry faces mounting competition from lower-cost imports, particularly from China. Despite these challenges, domestic glass manufacturers have made ongoing investments in modernization and sustainable production. Maintaining competitiveness while meeting stricter North American labor and environmental standards remains an ongoing priority for the sector.
GPI President Scott DeFife underscores that glass manufacturing supports a unionized, skilled workforce and delivers fully recyclable, safe packaging that aligns with long-term sustainability goals. The organization is now urging the DOE to engage directly with glass sector leaders to ensure future funding processes reflect the full diversity of the U.S. industrial base.
