Critical Mineral Brine Extraction Research and Development Act

This legislation aims to enhance U.S. energy independence by directing the Secretary of Energy to support research and development for extracting critical minerals from brine. The initiative focuses on developing innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly technologies to reduce reliance on imported minerals. Specifically, the Secretary is tasked with supporting the scale-up, evaluation, and potential commercialization of these technologies, including conducting demonstrations in collaboration with private sector industry to improve performance and reduce costs. Furthermore, the bill mandates a comprehensive report to Congress within one year, detailing the technical and economic feasibility of brine extraction technology, identifying potential barriers, and exploring options for Federal-private partnerships. To fund these efforts, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $2,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.