Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act
The Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to treat certain energy resources as “critical energy resources” and to strengthen the United States’ ability to secure their supply. It directs the Department of Energy (DOE), with input from other federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and states, to: regularly assess the critical energy resource supply chains, their vulnerability, and the diversity and capacity of domestic sources; develop strategies to diversify and expand domestic production, separation, and processing; pursue substitutes and alternatives to these resources; and advance recycling and reuse of critical energy resources. The bill also requires a report to Congress within two years detailing the status of these assessments and any regulatory or other actions taken as a result. The overarching aim is to reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions and lessen reliance on foreign sources, including potential actions by adversarial nations.
Key Points
- 1Defines “critical energy resource” as any energy resource essential to the energy sector and systems of the United States, with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.
- 2Expands DOE responsibilities to conduct ongoing, comprehensive assessments of critical energy resource supply chains, including: importance to energy technology development, vulnerability, domestic diversification, capacity constraints, and the impact of regulations and import reliance.
- 3Requires DOE to develop and facilitate strategies to strengthen supply chains, focusing on diversifying sources, increasing domestic production, separation, and processing of critical energy resources.
- 4Calls for the development of substitutes and alternatives to critical energy resources.
- 5Directs DOE to improve technologies for reusing and recycling critical energy resources.
- 6Requires a formal report to Congress within two years describing the status of assessments and any regulations, guidance, or actions taken as a result.