Senate and House Will Go to Conference on Energy Bill

Before the summer recess, the U.S. Senate voted to convene a conference committee with the House of Representatives on the Senate’s “Energy Modernization Policy Act of 2016.” While the committee will likely not meet until this fall, this is a significant step toward much-needed minerals mining reform.

Streamlining the mineral mine permitting process is one of the provisions included in the energy bill under consideration. Under the current process, it takes up to 10 years to procure a mining permit. Protracted policies adversely affect the profitability of mining projects and the supply chains that depend on timely access to minerals.

Minerals play an important role in virtually everything around us. They are vital to energy production, cutting edge technologies and the infrastructure we depend on every day. Fortunately, the U.S. is home to approximately $6.2 trillion worth of mineral resources, making our country one of the richest mineral deposits in the world. If Congress successfully works together to improve access to U.S. resources, these minerals will bolster our national security, resource security and economy.

In April, Minerals Make Life commended the Senate’s passing of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) “Energy Modernization Policy Act of 2016,” which enjoyed significant bi-partisan support.

In a press release, National Mining Association President and CEO Hal Quinn stated:

“The ‘Energy Modernization Policy Act of 2016,’ passed by the Senate today, includes much needed improvements in the nation’s permitting systems for metal and mineral mines to better position our country to achieve a truly all-of-the-above energy portfolio. Simply put, mineral security is a critical element to U.S. energy systems and Senator Murkowski’s bill promotes better access to the raw materials that make it all possible.”

Minerals Make Life applauds the bi-partisan effort in both chambers to pass broad energy reform that includes minerals mining reform and encourages continued progress when Congress reconvenes in the fall.

Take action here to support minerals reform.