Southern West Virginia News

In a recent announcement, Congresswoman Carol Miller and Congressman John Joyce have introduced a bill aimed at enhancing U.S. support for the utilization of seafloor resources to strengthen national security and energy independence. The Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act emphasizes the importance of reducing supply chain vulnerabilities and decreasing reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals, particularly China.

Congresswoman Miller highlighted the significance of the legislation, stating, "The United States should not be beholden to China for critical minerals." She emphasized that the bill will not only bolster American manufacturing and jobs but also combat Chinese dominance in the production of critical minerals. Congressman Joyce echoed similar sentiments, stressing the need to break the Chinese Communist Party's monopoly on global critical mineral supply chains.

Endorsed by various industry leaders and organizations, including the National Ocean Industries Association, the Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the country's self-reliance in critical mineral supply chains. Erik Milito, President of the National Ocean Industries Association, commended the initiative, stating that deep-sea mining offers a promising solution to access essential minerals for defense and renewable energy technologies.

The bill outlines specific measures to prepare the United States for the commercial availability of critical minerals sourced from the seafloor. These include tasking the Department of Defense to support the development of domestic nodule processing capacity and assessing the potential benefits and impacts of seabed mining on diplomatic, economic, and environmental aspects.

The Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act is seen as a strategic move towards reducing dependency on foreign adversaries for critical minerals, ensuring a resilient supply chain for national security and energy needs. The initiative has garnered support from various sectors and is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the country's position in the global critical minerals market.