Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Legislation Protecting American Energy Production
WASHINGTON – Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) introduced the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 to strengthen American mining and restore domestic energy independence. He introduced this legislation alongside Congressman Jefferson Shreve (R-IN).
In 2023, the Biden Administration proposed a rule limiting the minerals eligible for expedited permitting in the United States. The Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 blocks the Biden Administration's proposed rule and streamlines the permitting process for critical minerals like copper and iron. This legislation ensures vital mining and mineral refining can swiftly and successfully be produced in the United States by American workers.
“The U.S. domestic mining industry is critical to our national security and energy dominance,” said Congressman Moore. “In Utah alone, mining supports over 43,000 jobs and contributes over $5.2 billion to our state GDP annually. As our mineral demand continues to grow, our permitting process must keep pace. I’m proud to work with Congressman Shreve to introduce the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 to ensure mining projects qualify for FAST-41 status.”
“The Biden Administration's proposed rule undermines the American mining industry and diverts essential mineral production to China,” said Congressman Shreve. “My bill pushes back to protect American energy and eliminate reliance on our adversaries. It ensures critical mining projects can quickly receive the necessary permits and establish our nation as a prominent leader in energy production."
"Mineral production in America is among the cleanest and safest in the world, and we're taking steps in Congress to more efficiently mine here at home instead of importing foreign minerals from our adversaries,” said Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources Congressman Westerman. “I thank Congressman Shreve for his important work on this legislation to help streamline the permitting process and eliminate China’s chokehold on our mineral supply chain.”
“As China continues its campaign of mineral extortion against the United States and our allies, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 will help to improve the timeliness, predictability and transparency of the federal environmental review and authorization process for covered infrastructure projects, including mining,” said Richard Russell, Senior Vice President of Government and Political Affairs at the National Mining Association “We applaud Representatives Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.) and Blake Moore (R-Utah) for their leadership on this important issue and commitment to ensuring that efforts to improve the permitting process are not siloed."
Background:
- Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41) establishes protocols and provides funding for infrastructure projects overseen by the federal government.
- In 2021, mining was added as a sector under FAST-41, and projects could then work through one of the 18 possible criteria to be expedited. These projects range from renewable and conventional energy production to semiconductors and AI.
- The Biden Administration's proposed rule blocks certain minerals from qualifying under FAST-41.
###