A senior U.S. Geological Survey official Tuesday voiced support for a bipartisan bill that would require the creation of a federal strategy for critical minerals, but questioned a separate measure that would set up a new task force.
Colin Williams, who leads the USGS mineral resources program, told the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources that the agency supports the “Critical Minerals Security Act,” H.R. 7662, from Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Republican co-sponsors.
The legislation would require agencies to craft a strategy for advancing mining, refining and processing of critical minerals, and provide a host of reports to Congress.
“The USGS supports this bill,” Williams made clear during the hearing.
