WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced their bipartisan Permit Reform in Mining for Energy and Defense (PRIMED) Act, highlighting the need to cut through the red tape and allow for an expedited environmental review to streamline federal permitting for critical defense and energy supply chain projects. In a national security speech in September, Senator Slotkin emphasized the need for the United States to stockpile critical minerals.
The bill ensures that certain projects funded by the Department of Defense and Defense Production Act, such as those supporting domestic mining, mineral processing, and related manufacturing, qualify as “covered projects” under the FAST-41 process. This would place qualifying projects on the federal Permitting Dashboard and increase transparency and coordination, while expediting the review process.
“We cannot allow China to have a veto on our manufacturing and national security by continuing to dominate critical mineral production,” said Senator Slotkin. “Critical minerals are needed for the production of everything from cars to wind turbines, chips to defense systems. My bill ensures the United States can kickstart production of critical minerals sourced here at home.”
“I will always work to ensure the U.S. is not dependent on a foreign adversary for resources critical to national security,” said Senator Ernst. “By cutting red tape for needed projects, the bipartisan PRIMED Act will expedite domestic production of critical minerals needed to counter the threats of the 21st Century and ensure U.S. readiness.”
The bill is led in the House of Representatives by Representative Andy Barr (KY-6) and Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-14).
“America’s ability to meet the surging demand for materials needed for energy, defense and manufacturing supply chains depends on the timely development of our domestic mineral resources,” said Rich Nolan, President and CEO of the National Mining Association. “The PRIMED Act will ensure that projects receiving Defense Production Act funding, which are already recognized as vital to national security, are added to the FAST-41 dashboard and can undergo a streamlined permitting process. This commonsense legislation will strengthen the link between federal investment and permitting transparency, helping develop and grow secure, domestic mineral supply chains while maintaining our nation’s strong environmental standards. I thank Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) for their leadership and urge Congress to enact this important legislation to bolster the U.S. mineral supply chain.”
“U.S. manufacturing depends on a robust mineral supply chain, and it’s critical that we implement policies that allow for more mineral exploration and expedite the time it takes to start production,” said Chris Greissing, Essential Minerals Association president. “EMA supports the Permit Reform In Mining for Energy and Defense (PRIMED) Act and its efforts to accelerate permitting timelines for strategic and critical minerals projects. We thank Senators Ernst and Slotkin for their leadership in introducing this bill in the Senate and support its swift and bipartisan adoption into law.”
The full bill text of the legislation can be found here.
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