Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025
The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 would expand the definition of “critical mineral” in the Energy Act of 2020 by expressly including “critical materials.” It ties any material designated as a critical material by the Secretary of Energy (under the act) to be treated as a critical mineral. Importantly, the bill requires the Secretary of Energy to update the official list of critical minerals within 45 days after determining a material qualifies as a critical material. In short, the bill aims to more quickly align the federal designation of critical materials with the list of critical minerals, ensuring faster policy and programmatic recognition for newly identified materials. The change is procedural in nature: it does not create new programs or funding, but it speeds the administrative process for adding newly identified critical materials to the official list used for federal planning and policy. This could affect how industries plan investments in mining, processing, and supply chains for materials essential to energy, defense, and manufacturing sectors.
Key Points
- 1Expands the definition: The term “critical mineral” covers materials designated as critical by the Secretary under subsection (c) or as a “critical material” determined by the Secretary of Energy under subsection (a)(2)(A).
- 2New inclusion deadline: Not later than 45 days after the Secretary of Energy determines a non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material to be a critical material, the Secretary must update the official list of critical minerals to include that material.
- 3DOE role preserved: The Secretary of Energy retains authority to determine which materials qualify as critical materials under the act.
- 4Scope clarified: The provision explicitly references “non-fuel” minerals, indicating the focus is on materials relevant to energy, industry, and national security rather than fuels.
- 5Administrative effect: Creates a concrete timeline to reduce lag between designation and listing, potentially accelerating federal actions tied to critical minerals.