Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Revitalizing America's Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act" seeks to bolster U.S. national security and economic interests by accelerating the responsible development of offshore critical mineral resources. It addresses the nation's dependence on foreign suppliers for these vital materials, which include elements like nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements, essential for defense, infrastructure, and energy sectors. The bill emphasizes the vast potential of U.S. seabed areas and the need to reassert leadership in deep sea science and technology. A core provision requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior to **expedite** the review and issuance of licenses and permits for offshore mineral exploration and commercial recovery within 60 days. This includes processes under both the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, aiming for efficiency and competitiveness for **United States companies**. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior must develop a plan to map priority seabed areas to accelerate data collection and identify critical minerals derived from these resources. The legislation also mandates engagement with **key partners and allies** to support seabed mineral exploration, extraction, and processing in their jurisdictions, fostering scientific collaboration and commercial opportunities. This strategy aims to counter growing foreign influence, particularly from China, over global seabed mineral resources. Finally, the bill requires several reports, including one on private sector interest in seabed mining and another on the feasibility of an international benefit-sharing mechanism for resources beyond national jurisdiction.
The "Revitalizing America's Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act" seeks to bolster U.S. national security and economic interests by accelerating the responsible development of offshore critical mineral resources. It addresses the nation's dependence on foreign suppliers for these vital materials, which include elements like nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements, essential for defense, infrastructure, and energy sectors. The bill emphasizes the vast potential of U.S. seabed areas and the need to reassert leadership in deep sea science and technology. A core provision requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior to **expedite** the review and issuance of licenses and permits for offshore mineral exploration and commercial recovery within 60 days. This includes processes under both the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, aiming for efficiency and competitiveness for **United States companies**. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior must develop a plan to map priority seabed areas to accelerate data collection and identify critical minerals derived from these resources. The legislation also mandates engagement with **key partners and allies** to support seabed mineral exploration, extraction, and processing in their jurisdictions, fostering scientific collaboration and commercial opportunities. This strategy aims to counter growing foreign influence, particularly from China, over global seabed mineral resources. Finally, the bill requires several reports, including one on private sector interest in seabed mining and another on the feasibility of an international benefit-sharing mechanism for resources beyond national jurisdiction.