GM plans evolution to lithium metal batteries; DOE to focus on battery technology research; offshore Vineyard Wind project moves through federal environmental review; VW to increase emphasis on recycling battery materials; Salzgitter AG to create wind-to-hydrogen steel plant

1) GM President Mark Reuss indicates company will evolve battery tech to lithium metal.

2) DOE will devote billions of dollars to new EV and battery R&D through its Loan Program Office, a strategic move to claw back some dominance from China.

3) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management completes analysis of 800-MW Vineyard Wind Project off Massachusetts.

4) VW increases focus on recycling used batteries, initiating a pilot battery recycling program in Salzgitter, Germany.

5) Salzgitter AG, one of Europe's largest steel producers, announces wind-to-hydrogen steel plant, w/30-MW wind farm & two Siemens 1.25-MW electrolyzers. Goal is to eliminate carbon in iron ore smelting and reduce CO2 emissions by around 95% by 2050.