H.R.3617 - Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3617, the "Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act," aims to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to bolster the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals. The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct ongoing assessments of energy resource criticality, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the impact of reliance on imported resources. It also promotes strategies to strengthen domestic supply chains, develop resource substitutes, and improve recycling technologies.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would likely lead to increased domestic production and processing of critical energy resources. It would also diversify supply sources and reduce reliance on adversarial nations. This could lead to greater energy independence and reduced vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced energy security through reduced reliance on foreign sources.
- Potential for job creation in domestic mining, processing, and recycling industries.
- Stimulation of innovation in resource substitution and recycling technologies.
- Strengthened national security by reducing dependence on adversarial nations for critical resources.
- Increased resilience of energy systems to disruptions.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential environmental impacts from increased domestic mining and processing.
- Possible conflicts with existing environmental regulations.
- Increased costs associated with domestic production compared to foreign sources.
- Risk of unintended consequences from government intervention in energy markets.
- Potential for disputes over land use and resource allocation.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's broad goals of promoting the general welfare and providing for the common defense, as stated in the Preamble. Congress has the power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3), which could be interpreted to include securing the supply of critical minerals. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).