$30 Million Allocated for Strengthening Domestic Critical Minerals Supply Chain

author: FutureCar Staff    

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced funding of up to $30 million to support President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The funding aims to lower the costs of onshore production of rare earths and other critical minerals and materials from domestic coal-based resources. This initiative will help meet the increasing demand for critical minerals in the United States and reduce reliance on offshore supplies.

Rare earths and other critical minerals play a crucial role in the manufacturing of clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells. By extracting these materials from coal, coal waste, and associated by-products, the initiative also aims to create well-paying jobs in communities that have historically relied on fossil energy resources. This supports the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to revitalizing energy communities and ensuring equitable access to benefits through the Justice40 Initiative.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlights the significance of President Biden's agenda in rebuilding America's manufacturing sector. The investments made in critical minerals will enhance the country's ability to develop clean energy technologies and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. Additionally, this initiative will generate high-quality jobs in communities that have been instrumental in powering the nation for generations.

The funding opportunity announcement released by the DOE seeks to tap into the United States' unconventional resources, including domestic coal and coal wastes. Currently, the U.S. imports over 80% of its rare earth demand from non-domestic suppliers. However, rare earth elements are naturally abundant within the country. The program aims to develop a domestic supply chain critical to the economy, clean energy, and national security. Research will be funded for laboratory and bench-scale testing of economically viable, environmentally friendly extraction, separation, and refining technologies. The focus will be on unconventional coal-based resources to produce rare earths and critical minerals for use in clean energy, national defense, and commercial products and equipment.

By investing in the production of critical minerals domestically, the United States can strengthen its national security, create more jobs, revitalize energy communities, and build a clean energy economy. This aligns with President Biden's historic climate agenda and his commitment to advancing sustainable and innovative technologies.

FutureCar Staff