Proposed Bill Aims to Boost U.S. Critical Minerals Industry and Jobs

As the United States grapples with global competition for essential materials, a new legislative push aims to fortify domestic capabilities. The ‘Unearth America’s Future Act,’ introduced by Michigan’s U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, seeks to reshape the landscape of critical mineral production in the nation.

This proposed legislation is designed to bolster American manufacturing by offering federal loans, tax incentives, and strategic initiatives to enhance the production and processing of vital minerals such as copper, magnesium, and aluminum.

“What this bill is, is focused on public-private partnerships, supply chain opportunities, as well as recyclability, which is something that’s gaining a lot of traction in the critical materials space right now,” explained Stevens, emphasizing the collaborative nature of her proposal.

With an estimated $10 billion earmarked for investment, the initiative covers financial incentives, collaborative partnerships, and the establishment of a national center dedicated to research and development in the sector. This effort directly addresses the challenges posed by China’s current stronghold over the supply of these crucial metals, often found in products like smartphones and electric vehicle batteries.

Stevens expressed concern over the dependency on Chinese-refined minerals, stating, “Leaving Michigan’s entire manufacturing base on the hook for materials coming from minerals that are refined in China, that’s a risk. And that’s not working.”

While the Trump administration issued executive orders to expand U.S. mining capabilities amidst environmental debates, Stevens’ approach draws parallels to the bipartisan CHIPS Act. Her strategy focuses on scaling up the processing and refining operations within the country to increase resilience and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

Stevens confidently stated, “This will increase our resilience here in the United States of America, but it will also increase our domestic production capabilities, which means lowering costs, lowering costs, lowering costs — we need to lower costs, and that’s what this bill’s going to be about as well. And job creation.”

For more information on the proposed legislation, visit the Detroit News article. Further details about the Trump administration’s executive orders can be found on NPR.