Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025
The Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 would expand the scope of projects eligible for the streamlined federal permitting process under the FAST Act by adding mining activities to the list of “covered projects.” This means mining projects could be subject to the faster, interagency coordination processes intended for major infrastructure. At the same time, the bill blocks the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing a specific proposed rule that would revise how mining is treated under Title 41 of the FAST Act, effectively preventing expansion of the mining scope through that rulemaking. The bill was introduced in the House on February 21, 2025, by Rep. Shreve (joined by Rep. Moore of Utah) and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. In short, the bill both broadens what projects get expedited federal permitting to include mining, and prevents a separate rule that would change the scope of mining coverage from moving forward. Its aim appears to be ensuring domestic mining projects receive the FAST Act’s streamlined review, while preempting a pending rule that might alter that scope.
Key Points
- 1Amends the FAST Act to insert “mining” into the definition of “covered project,” expanding which projects qualify for expedited federal permitting.
- 2Specifically adds mining to the list in Section 41001(6)(A) of the FAST Act, placing mining on the same footing as other infrastructure sectors covered by Title 41.
- 3Prohibits the FPISC from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing the proposed rule titled “Revising Scope of the Mining Sector of Projects That Are Eligible for Coverage Under Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act” (as listed in the Federal Register).
- 4The proposed rule referenced is from 88 Fed. Reg. 65350 (September 22, 2023); the bill blocks actions on that rule to prevent expanding or altering mining coverage through rulemaking.
- 5Introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Shreve (for himself and Rep. Moore of Utah); referral to the House Committee on Natural Resources.