PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: Congresswoman Lee’s Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen the Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s (AZ-06) bipartisan Critical Mineral Consistency Act (H.R. 755) passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously. This legislation will strengthen the domestic supply of critical minerals and related resources by cutting government red tape and providing clarity to both industry and federal agencies. The legislation will ensure parity between “critical materials,” as identified by the Department of Energy (DOE), and “critical minerals,” as identified by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior (DOI).
Currently, the items on DOE’s list are not eligible for the more extensive benefits conferred to the items on DOI’s list — including federal tax credit and financing opportunities. Lee’s bipartisan bill would simply create a combined Critical Minerals and Materials List to be used in administering relevant federal programs, conferring the same benefits to both sets of federally identified critical resources.
“Accessing critical minerals and materials is essential for our national security and energy grid. Government red tape should not be a barrier to development and innovation,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Whether something is a ‘critical mineral’ according to the Interior Department or a ‘critical material’ according to the Energy Department, the federal government should treat all as critical resources. I’m glad my commonsense, bipartisan bill is one step closer to providing the clarity that both industry and federal agencies need.”
“America should never have to depend on adversaries for the materials that power our economy and national defense,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “With today’s passage of the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, we are streamlining permitting, attracting investment, and unlocking Arizona’s vast mineral resources — especially copper — to strengthen our supply chains and our security.”
USGS testified in support of the bill during the 118th Congress.
This bipartisan legislation is also supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including: the Transformer Manufacturing Association of America (TMAA), Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Copper Development Association (CDA), and National Mining Association (NMA).
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