Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act
Summary
The "Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act" aims to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to bolster the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals. It mandates ongoing assessments of energy resource criticality, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the impact of adversarial nations. The bill also seeks to develop strategies for diversifying supply sources, increasing domestic production, and improving resource recycling.
Expected Effects
The act is likely to increase domestic production and processing of critical energy resources. It will also reduce reliance on foreign sources, particularly from adversarial nations. The Department of Energy will be required to conduct regular assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced energy security by reducing reliance on foreign sources.
- Increased domestic production and job creation in the energy sector.
- Diversified supply chains, reducing vulnerability to disruptions.
- Development of substitutes and alternatives to critical energy resources.
- Improved technology for reusing and recycling critical energy resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs associated with domestic production.
- Possible environmental impacts from increased mining and processing activities.
- Potential trade conflicts with nations that currently supply these resources.
- The act may lead to increased governmental regulation.
- The effectiveness of the strategies developed will depend on the quality of the assessments and the implementation of the act.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of promoting the general welfare (Preamble) and providing for the common defense (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3), which includes the production and distribution of energy resources. The necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) allows Congress to enact laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).