Rep. Miller Introduces Bill to Support Deep-Seabed Nodule collection and domestic processing to Strengthen National Security and Energy Independence

Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congressman John Joyce (R-PA) introduced a bill to increase U.S. support for the utilization of seafloor resources as sources of critical mineral inputs to fuel the nation’s energy goals and bolster national security. The Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act calls for federal resources to be allocated towards refining polymetallic nodule materials and advises several analyses across benefit sharing, technology development, trade, and environmental and human health.
 
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“The United States should not be beholden to China for critical minerals. The Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act will significantly reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and bolster American manufacturing and jobs, while combatting Chinese production of critical minerals. The strength of U.S. national security and energy independence will be determined by how we choose to respond amid increasing reliance on China. This legislation is commonsense and encourages the needed strategic decoupling from China that is long overdue. I encourage my colleagues in the House of Representatives and Senate to join me in shedding light on this issue,” said Congresswoman Miller.
 
“Over the last two decades, the Chinese Communist Party has strategically invested in putting a stranglehold on global critical mineral supply chains. It’s vital to our security and economic interests that the CCP controlled monopoly on these materials is broken. It’s time to leverage innovative solutions, like seabed mining whose tools are manufactured in Pennsylvania, that can improve competition and provide the critical minerals we need in order to build out our energy grid, develop new technologies, and supply advanced American manufacturers,” said Congressman Joyce.
 
This legislation is endorsed by the National Ocean Industries Association, the Breakthrough Institute, the Critical Ocean Minerals Research Center and industry leaders Deep Reach Technology, Hatch USA, Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc., The Metals Company, Global Seabed Resources NV, Ocean Minerals LLC, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and Moana Minerals.
“Making the United States' critical mineral supply chain more self-reliant and less dependent on foreign adversaries like China is crucial for national security. Deep sea mining presents a promising solution to access these essential minerals, ensuring a more resilient supply chain for defense and renewable energy technologies. We commend Representatives Miller and Joyce for their focus on addressing this critical issue and support passage of this bill,” said Erik Milito, President of the National Ocean Industries Association.

Click here for bill text of the Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act.
 
Background: 

• Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act will serve to ready the United States for the commercial availability of this new, abundant source of critical minerals by:
  • By tasking the Department of Defense to provide resources for the build out of domestic nodule processing capacity to produce high purity critical minerals. 
  • By tasking the Office of Science Technology and Policy to report the potential diplomatic, economic and industry benefits nodules may provide to the U.S. in addition to the lifecycle environmental and social impacts associated with nodule-sourcing versus benchmark land-based critical minerals. 
  • Directing the Department of Commerce to assess the applicability of domestic seabed mineral legislation in the context of importing seabed minerals or derived products from abroad.