Washington (December 5, 2025) — Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Environment and Public Works Committees, today issued a statement on Sublime Systems’ announcement that it would pause construction of its low-carbon cement plants in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The Trump administration rescinded an $87-million award from the Department of Energy for Sublime Systems’ work in June 2025.

“Donald Trump is continuing his crusade against American manufacturing, American workers, and American competitiveness on the world stage. Trump is killing the investments that keep our economy dominant around the world—sacrificing innovation and workers’ paychecks to his America Last agenda.

“When Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, it was with hardworking American communities such as Holyoke and visionary U.S. businesses such as Sublime Systems in mind. Together, they planned a $150 million investment in American manufacturing that would have crated hundreds of union construction jobs and more than 70 full-time jobs for families in Western Massachusetts, all while cornering the market on the next generation of clean cement technology.

“Today’s announcement that the project is paused is the direct result of the Trump administration’s illegal cuts to federal grant funds that were rightfully awarded following a rigorous review process. Sublime Systems and the City of Holyoke did their part to bring forward a top-tier project. The Trump administration sold them out and betrayed the workers of Massachusetts.

“I will continue to work with Sublime and leaders in Holyoke to pursue opportunities for the future. America deserves a President committed to doing the same.”

Senator Markey has been leading on efforts to fight back against the Trump administration’s unlawful and unwise efforts to attack American manufacturing, energy, competitiveness, and workers. In October 2025, he led the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation in writing to Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, demanding answers about the list of Department of Energy (DOE) grant cancellations attributed to Massachusetts companies and organizations, which were first announced in a Wednesday social media post by Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. In August 2025, he also led his colleagues in writing to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, detailing how the Trump administration has increased energy costs for families and calling on the Trump administration to take immediate action that will actually support energy affordability in New England and across the country.

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