$30 Million Investment in Domestic Critical Minerals Supply Chain

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【Summary】The Biden-Harris administration will provide $30 million to develop a domestic supply chain for critical minerals. The funding aims to reduce reliance on foreign supplies and create jobs in communities historically involved in fossil energy production. The initiative will focus on extracting rare earths and other minerals from domestic coal-based resources to support clean energy technologies and national security.

FutureCar Staff Sep 03, 2023 4:43 PM PT

$30 Million Investment in Domestic Critical Minerals Supply Chain

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a funding opportunity 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 aligns with the goal of reducing reliance on offshore supplies while meeting the increasing demand for critical minerals in the United States.

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 employment opportunities in communities that have traditionally relied on fossil energy resources.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the significance of President Biden's agenda in rebuilding America's manufacturing sector and enhancing the country's ability to produce critical minerals for clean energy technologies. This investment not only reduces reliance on foreign supply chains but also generates high-quality jobs in communities that have contributed to the nation's energy production.

The funding opportunity announcement seeks to tap into the United States' unconventional resources, including domestic coal and coal wastes, to establish a robust domestic supply chain. This supply chain is critical for the U.S. economy, clean energy, and national security. The program will support research on economically viable and environmentally friendly extraction, separation, and refining technologies for producing rare earths and critical minerals. These materials will be used in clean energy, national defense, and commercial commodity products and equipment.

By investing in the development of domestic resources, the United States aims to strengthen national security, revitalize energy communities, and build a clean energy economy. This initiative aligns with President Biden's historic climate agenda and the Justice40 Initiative, ensuring stronger access to benefits for communities involved in the production of fossil energy resources.