WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa
Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released a discussion draft of legislation designed
to revitalize the nation’s critical minerals supply chain. Murkowski is asking
for public comments on the draft by May 6.
“Minerals
are the building blocks of our economy,” said Murkowski, ranking member of the
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “From rare earth elements to
molybdenum, we rely on minerals for everything from the smallest computer chips
to the tallest skyscrapers. This draft bill provides clear, programmatic
direction to keep us competitive with foreign nations and promote a stable
supply of critical minerals.”
The
draft legislation directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish a list
of minerals critical to the U.S.
economy and sets out a comprehensive set of policies to ensure the nation is
able to meet its own mineral needs.
“With
so much attention paid to our reliance on foreign oil, it’s easy to lose sight
of the fact that other minerals are also critical to our economy. This
legislation would modernize our mineral policies to bolster domestic
production, protect the environment, expand manufacturing and promote
recycling,” Murkowski said. “Every one of these areas offers significant
opportunities for job creation.”
The
discussion draft includes provisions related to:
- DESIGNATIONS
– creates a process for designating minerals as critical based upon a
review of potential supply restrictions and the importance of their
use.
- POLICY
– articulates a statement of policy regarding presidential leadership on
the critical minerals supply chain.
- RESOURCES
– seeks an updated assessment of critical mineral resources located in the
United States,
in coordination with state geologic surveys.
- PERMITTING
– establishes a working group to review permitting, quantify delays,
assess environmental protections and recommend improvements.
- MANUFACTURING
– facilitates memoranda of agreement between states and the federal
government on coordinated permitting for manufacturing facilities.
- RECYCLING AND ALTERNATIVES – authorizes research to promote the efficient use and
recycling of critical minerals as well as alternatives to them.
- ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING – builds upon existing capabilities to provide more
forward-looking analyses of critical mineral supply chain trends.
- EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE – provides workforce assessments, curriculum
development, worker training and associated grant authorizations.
- INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION – reaffirms interagency coordination to share critical
mineral information and practices via diplomatic channels.
“It’s
my hope that a transparent and inclusive process – designed to gather feedback
from stakeholders even prior to the bill’s introduction – will lead to a
common-sense bill that draws broad, bipartisan support,” Murkowski said.
Instructions
for submitting comments: Comments on the draft should be submitted with a
one-page summary to critical_minerals@energy.senate.gov
by 4 p.m. on May 6. Both general and specific comments are welcomed, as well as
suggested edits to the legislative text itself. Charts, graphics or additional
legislative language may also be submitted. Contact Colin Hayes at (202)
224-4971 with any questions about the draft.
The
text of the discussion draft and the comment form are attached.