WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski,
R-Alaska, today underscored the importance of developing a domestic supply of
critical minerals during a subcommittee hearing held by the Senate Energy and
Natural Resources Committee.
“There is no question that a stable and affordable supply of
minerals is critical to America’s
future competitiveness,” Murkowski said. “Yet, our mineral-related capabilities
have been slipping for decades, leaving the United States heavily dependent on
foreign suppliers.”
The subcommittee hearing focused on three bills, including
Murkowski’s Critical Minerals Policy Act (S. 1113), which was introduced last
month with 17 cosponsors – eight Democrats and nine Republicans.
“The bill provides clear direction to keep the United States
competitive and ensure that the federal government’s mineral policies are
brought into the 21st century,” Murkowski said. “What sets this bill apart is
not only a more comprehensive look at the various minerals we depend on, but
also its attention to the broader supply chain, including permitting for
domestic mineral production, where the United States is ranked last in the
world.”
Murkowski reiterated her support for the robust programs
already in place to ensure environmental protection at mining operations, but
explained that “delaying projects, stranding capital, and allowing bureaucratic
intransigence is not a strategy for environmental protection. To the contrary,
it is a disingenuous and dangerous thing to do as the United States struggles to create
private-sector jobs and attract long-term investments.”
The other bills discussed during today’s subcommittee
hearing were the Critical Minerals and Materials Promotion Act (S. 383) and
Powering America’s Lithium Production Act (S. 421).
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