NE Washington News

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm urging the DOE to prioritize onshoring critical mineral supply chains. This follows the Chinese Communist Party’s July 1 declaration that rare earth metals were “property of the state.”

“Critical minerals are essential to America’s economy and to America’s capacity to manufacture goods and high-tech devices. Many critical minerals are essential to the energy sector, as they are needed to manufacture solar panels, batteries, and electrical equipment. As the DOE is aware, the CCP announced limitations on gallium, germanium, natural and synthetic graphite last October. These critical minerals are vital for our defense and energy technologies and are listed as critical and at high risk of supply disruption. On November 21, 2023, the Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter raising security concerns over the CCP limiting exports of gallium, germanium, natural graphite, and synthetic graphite. Your response to that letter failed to address these concerns and lacked basic information to help Members of Congress assess the risks of America’s increasing dependence on CCP controlled minerals,” stated Chairs Rodgers, Duncan, and Carter.

They further emphasized: “The administration should prioritize the onshoring of domestic mining and processing industry for these critical minerals and materials. The answer to a lack of mining and processing is not to extend credits to companies using minerals from a major geopolitical adversary that relies on child labor and exploitation.”

The letter asked Secretary Granholm several questions regarding actions taken by the DOE in response to China's announcement:

- Are you concerned by reports that the Chinese government has declared rare earth metals property of the government of China?

- What actions will the DOE take in response to the Chinese government’s announcement?

- Please describe any actions DOE has taken to prioritize onshoring domestic mining and processing of synthetic and natural graphite.

- Please describe any actions DOE has taken to prioritize onshoring domestic mining and processing of gallium and germanium.

- How will DOE work to expedite projects ensuring a secure supply chain for these critical minerals?

- What actions will DOE take to mitigate potential domestic supply shortages?

- Were you consulted about extending the graphite exemption through 2027?

- Did you advise or recommend extending this exemption? Please explain.