Energy Dept. Pledges $500M for Mineral, Battery Security

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) today announced $500 million for seven selected projects to expand critical mineral and material processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling capacity in the United States. In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, the selected projects advance the President’s agenda to strengthen America’s domestic critical minerals and materials supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign sources, bolster national security, and advance American energy dominance.

“For too long, America has depended on foreign actors for critical materials essential to modern life that underpin our economy, energy security, and national security,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “President Trump is reversing that dependence by securing our critical supply chains, unleashing American industry, and bringing critical materials production and processing back to the United States.”

“DOE is taking decisive action to secure the critical supply chains necessary to power our nation,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. “These projects underscore DOE’s commitment to driving innovation, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and promoting American energy dominance.”

This is the third round of funding from DOE’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programs, which support battery materials processing, recycling, and manufacturing projects. These include demonstration projects, construction of commercial-scale facilities, and retrofitting or retooling existing facilities.

Critical minerals and materials are essential to American industry, energy production, and national security. Expanding domestic capacity will help ensure the resources America needs are processed, manufactured, and recycled in the United States.

Information on the selected projects is available here and here.

Public Release.