Press Release
☷Biden Harris Administration Invests $17 Million to Strengthen Nation s Critical Minerals Supply Chain
U.S. Department of Energy ( By Press Release office)
Feb 17,2024
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President Biden ' s plan to invest in America will help create jobs in energy communities by converting coal and coal byproducts into critical minerals for clean energy technologies . The U . S . Department of Energy is providing over $17 million for three projects to design and build facilities that extract rare earth elements and other critical minerals from coal resources . This will strengthen domestic supply chains , reduce reliance on foreign sources , and support the manufacturing of clean energy technologies in the U . S . The projects aim to create high - quality jobs in communities that have historically relied on fossil fuels , while also helping combat climate change . Secretary of Energy Jennifer M . Granholm emphasized the importance of using coal waste as a domestic source of critical minerals for clean energy technologies . The projects will help increase national security , protect the environment , and create jobs across the country . The U . S . currently imports over 80% of rare earth elements , but these resources can be found in domestic coal reserves and waste . The DOE is working to tap into this unconventional resource to build a domestic supply chain vital to the economy , clean energy , and national security . Three projects have been selected to develop FEED studies for potential facilities that extract rare earth elements and other critical minerals from unconventional resources . The selected companies will be conducting FEED studies to figure out the technical requirements and reduce risks for future rare earth element and critical minerals production facilities . The University of Illinois , Winner Water Services , and Tetra Tech will be working on projects in Illinois , Georgia , and Pennsylvania respectively . The projects will be managed by the DOE ' s National Energy Technology Laboratory , with a focus on community engagement and benefits . The DOE has been investing in critical minerals and materials projects since January 2021 to support domestic production and processing , including funding for rare earth production facilities . The goal is to generate rare earth elements while minimizing environmental impacts and achieving net - zero emissions . Some of the main areas we ' re focusing on in technology work are carbon capture , converting carbon , removing carbon dioxide , transporting and storing carbon dioxide , producing hydrogen with carbon management , reducing methane emissions , and producing critical minerals . If you want to find out more , check out the FECM website , sign up for news updates , and visit the NETL website . ### .
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