The rule change intends to accelerate access to critical minerals while drawing scrutiny.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently finalized a rule allowing companies to apply simultaneously for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits for deep-sea mining under a 1980 law.
President Trump issued an executive order last year on mineral exploration, stating, “The expedited process, consistent with applicable law, should ensure efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for American companies.”
Administration officials said the change could increase access to minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper, which are used in energy and defense technologies, and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
“America cannot risk falling behind in the production and processing of minerals, whether they are from traditional operations on land or harvested from the seabed,” said House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber of Minnesota.
NOAA will hold public hearings as part of its review of pending applications.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs as he oversees the implementation of the rule.
- For Chairman Stauber and other policymakers to have the discernment to balance national security and economic needs against long-term ecological impact.
- For the president and U.S. energy and technology officials as they work to increase the supply of critical minerals in the nation.
Sources: Roll Call, The Hill, MSN
