ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the recently signed Inflation Reduction Act will spur economic growth in the Finger Lakes region.
Schumer says Li-Cycle, a lithium-ion battery recycler in Rochester, will benefit from the law requiring batteries and the materials used to make them must be sourced from within the United States.
Schumer says the move will allow the U.S. to obtain energy independence from China, where a majority of the materials currently come from.
He's now pushing to get funding from the bill to help Li-Cycle ramp up production.
"The car companies must use locally sourced or recycled materials, lithium, cobalt, nickel, that’s made right here at Li-Cycle in Rochester,” Schumer said. “Because this is one of the great sources domestic center for these minerals."
Schumer says he's also pushing for expansion in the Rochester area by having the General Motors plant produce electric vehicle parts.