| The United States is heavily dependent on foreign suppliers for critical minerals, including rare earths and other minerals used in batteries, solar panels, and other clean energy technology. Unfortunately, many of these resources are controlled by nations hostile to U.S. interests, making our reliance a strategic vulnerability to our military, national security infrastructure, and efforts to transition to a clean energy economy. The Biden administration this month released a report on supply chain vulnerabilities highlighting the need to develop domestic sources of critical minerals and other strategic raw materials. The U.S. imports 31 of 35 critical minerals and is completely dependent on foreign imports for 14 of those minerals. This dependence has vast implications, affecting everything from how we use and produce energy, deliver health care, and advance our national security goals. The White House report recommends expanding domestic production capacity through investments in mining, processing, and recycling, but mining of any kind remains controversial in this country. Join ConservAmerica on Thursday, July 1 at 9 a.m. EST for an exploration of the threats and challenges created by our reliance on foreign imports of critical minerals, our capacity to develop these resources domestically, and the policy changes needed to make that happen. Speakers: Minnesota Republican Rep. Pete Stauber, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Rich Nolan, President & CEO of National Mining Association Tristan Abbey, President of Comarus Analytics LLC. Jon Cherry, President & CEO of PolyMet Abby Smith, Energy & Environment Reporter at the Washington Examiner |
