Document 36
From:
Helena Schwarz
Sent:
Tue, 3 Jun 2025 17:00:30 -0400
To:
Secretary
Cc:
Hebert, Ashley; Lamanna, Isabelle; Mcgregor, Ruby
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Meeting Request - Sila Nanotechnologies CEO, Gene Berdichevsky
Attachments:
Sila Meeting Request DOE Secretary Wright.pdf, Meeting Information Request
Form - Wright_Sila(522662703.2).docx pdf
Good afternoon Secretary Wright,
On behalf of Gene Berdichevsky, CEO of Sila Nanotechnologies, I am writing to respectfully request a meeting with you during his upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. the week of June 16 (preferably June 17-18).
Sila is a U.S.-based leader in critical materials production, advancing the Administration's goal of securing energy independence by reshoring key energy supply chains through cutting-edge domestic innovation. Initially supported by an Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy award, Sila has since emerged as a global materials leader through our patented silicon anode technology. We continue to collaborate with the Department of Energy, most recently receiving an award from the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains in 2022 to build a manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington.
Mr. Berdichevsky is encouraged by the Administration's commitment to making the United States a global hub for critical materials production and processing. He would welcome the opportunity to discuss how Sila's work aligns with and supports these national priorities.
For your review, we have attached a letter from Mr. Berdichevsky along with a completed meeting request form. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to engage with you directly.
Sincerely, Helena
Helena Schwarz Director, Government Affairs Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026434
(b) (6)
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Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026435
% Sila
June 3, 2025
The Honorable Chris Wright Secretary U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20585
Dear Secretary Wright,
I am writing to respectfully request a meeting during my upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., June 17-18, 2025, to introduce you to Sila Nanotechnologies and share our work to advance the Administration's goal of becoming a leading producer of critical materials while reducing dependence on Chinese-controlled energy supply chains.
Sila was founded in 2011 with early support from the Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy and has since become a global leader in materials innovation through our patented silicon anode technology. Our product offers significantly higher energy density and faster charging than traditional anodes. While China currently controls more than 90% of global graphite production, our U.S.-developed solution eliminates the need for it entirely -- delivering end-to-end supply chain resilience and national security benefits.
To scale this innovation, we are constructing a 600,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington. Supported by a $100 million grant from DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, the plant will produce up to 2,300 tons annually, create over 500 American jobs, and begin delivering material to customers by year's end.
This investment is enabling the U.S. to stay ahead of China, which is now racing to replicate this technology and challenge our lead. As global demand for silicon anodes accelerates -- driven by their clear advantages for both commercial and defense applications -- the United States has a narrow but decisive opportunity to secure long-term leadership in this strategic segment.
Given your leadership at the Department of Energy and as Vice Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council, I would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss how our efforts align with your priorities to strengthen America's energy and industrial base.
Thank you for considering this request. I hope we'll have the opportunity to connect.
Sincerely,
Gene Berdichevsky Chief Executive Officer Sila Nanotechnologies
I DOCID
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026436
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY
Meeting Information Request Form
Thank you for your interest in meeting with U.S. Secretary of Energy. To ensure that the appropriate individual within the Department of Energy is meeting with you on a given matter and because the Office of the Secretary is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards, we need the information requested below before we can agree to schedule a meeting.
Please respond to the questions below and send your response to the.secretarv(&,ha.doe.gov. If you have any questions you may contact the Secretary's Scheduling Office at 202-586-5534.
Requesting individual/organization: (Please identify the person(s) (name and affiliation) requesting the meeting, including any background information on the affiliated organization(s).)
Gene Berdichevsky Co-Founder and CEO
Sila was founded in 2011 with early support from the Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy and has since become a global leader in materials innovation through their patented silicon anode technology. Sila's product offers significantly higher energy density and faster charging than traditional anodes. While China currently controls more than 90% of global graphite production, the company's U.S.-developed solution eliminates the need for it entirely -- delivering end-to-end supply chain resilience and national security benefits.
Contact information (Name, Email. Phone):
Helena Schwarz hschwarz@silanano.com (b) (6)
Please describe the action sought from the Office of the Secretary:
Meeting date (if date is flexible please indicate the range):
Gene and the Sila team are looking forward to sharing more information about their efforts to protect the nation's economic and national security through their DOE award focused on reshoring the battery supply chain with their industry leading silicon anode technology. The team is excited to share how their U.S. developed technology, created in part with DOE funds, is actively disintermediating supply chains from China and in accordance with the Administration's priorities. Sila would appreciate the opportunity share more information about their company, longstanding partnership with DOE, and plans to support U.S. ener dominance. June 16-20, preferably June 17-18
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026437
Please explain any time sensitivity that impacts the date of the meeting, such as court-ordered or statutory deadline:
Proposed meeting location (City, State/Country):
Department of Energy Headquarters Washington, DC
Describe the proposed meeting topic/ agenda, provide available briefing materials, and identify desired outcome(s):
Expected meeting participants (name, title, and organizational affiliation):
Are any expected meeting participants registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations, and/or registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act? (If yes, please identify.)
Topic: Sila's partnership with DOE including the company's MESC award and interest in supporting the Administration in their desire to make the U.S. a leading producer and processor of critical materials. Desired Outcomes: Discuss the company's partnership with DOE and explore additional pathways for collaboration to increase domestic materials manufacturing.
Gene Berdichevsky, Co-Founder and CEO, Sila Nanotechnologies Helena Schwarz, Director of Government Affairs, Sila Nanotechnologies Taite McDonald, Partner, Holland & Knight Yes -- Helena Schwarz & Taite McDonald
Are any expected meeting participants a
No.
partisan political candidate, a representative
of a political party or a registered political
action committee (PAC)? (If yes, please
identify.)
Do any expected meeting participants seek or currently have any business interests with the Department of Energy such as permits, contracts, litigation, grants, etc.? (If yes, please identify.)
Sila has an award under DE-FE0002678.
Will the meeting involve legislation, broad policy options, or other general matters that involve a large and diverse range of persons and interests? (If yes, please describe.)
Yes, Sila is interested in discussing U.S. critical minerals strategy and goals.
Will the meeting involve regulations, rules, or other matters that impact a specific industry, sector of the economy, or group of persons? (If yes, please describe.)
Yes, the meeting will involve discussion of the domestic critical materials manufacturing sector.
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026438
If any gifts (e.g., meals or refreshments, mementos or tokens of appreciation, transportation, etc.) will be offered to the Secretary, please describe and provide their monetary value. If the Secretary is unable to meet, is a surrogate desired? If yes, who specifically?
Any additional notes or information?
No.
Yes. Carl Coe, Chief of Staff Michael Brown, Deputy Chief of Staff
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026439