Legislative Hearing on the following bills: • H.R. 280 (Rep. Hageman), “Combatting Obstruction Against Leasing Act of 2025” or the “COAL Act of 2025” • H.R. 1366 (Rep. Amodei), “Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2025” • H.R. 3872 (Rep. Fallon), “Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act of 2025” or the “MERICA Act of 2025” • H.R. 4018 (Rep. Ezell), To unleash America’s offshore critical minerals and resources. • H.R. 4068 (Rep. Collins), “Streamlining NEPA for Coal Act” • H.R. 4090 (Rep. Stauber), To codify certain provisions of certain Executive Orders relating to domestic mining and hardrock mineral resources, and for other purposes.

2025-09-03

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Summary

This meeting of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources focused on several bills designed to promote American energy and mineral dominance by codifying executive orders and streamlining legislative processes [ 00:24:26 ] . The proposed legislation aimed to unlock domestic resources and bolster national security [ 00:25:00 ]

. However, concerns were raised about the potential for deregulation to undermine public input, environmental protection, and international relations [ 00:29:30 ] .

Themes

Promoting Domestic Mineral and Coal Production

A central theme was the push to increase domestic production of critical minerals and coal, primarily through legislative changes and the codification of executive orders from the Trump administration [ 00:25:00 ]

. Several bills were introduced to achieve this, including H.R. 280, known as the COAL Act, which aims to nullify a moratorium on federal coal leases and expedite the leasing process [ 00:25:18 ] . H.R. 4068 seeks to fix duplicative coal permitting processes by identifying categorical exclusions under NEPA [ 00:26:14 ] . H.R. 1366, the "Rosemont Fix," addresses issues related to mining claims on federal land by clarifying mill site definitions and establishing an abandoned hard rock mine fund [ 00:27:13 ] . Deep sea mining was presented as a new frontier for securing critical minerals, with H.R. 4018 proposing to codify an executive order to expand offshore access and develop permitting processes [ 00:27:51 ] . Additionally, H.R. 3872 aims to amend the Mineral Leasing Act for acquired lands to include hard rock minerals, thus tapping into vast resources like lithium deposits . H.R. 4090 was introduced to codify aspects of executive orders related to hard rock mining, mandating studies on mineral import reliance and expediting priority projects [ 00:28:55 ] . The Department of the Interior expressed full support for these bills, viewing them as crucial to the nation's economic, national, and energy security .

Concerns Over Deregulation and Environmental Impact

Opposing views raised significant concerns that the proposed "streamlining" efforts would eliminate public input and undermine environmental protections [ 00:29:30 ]

. Critics argued that deregulation is not the answer and could lead to environmental damage, increased litigation, and diminished public trust . Specific opposition was voiced against deep sea mining, which was described as a risky new industry with potentially profound impacts on fisheries and oceans, requiring more study and scrutiny rather than expedited permitting . The bills supporting coal were criticized for artificially prolonging an industry in decline, with market forces favoring renewable energy . Furthermore, weakening the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was seen as jeopardizing communities' ability to have a meaningful voice in projects affecting their air and water . Testimonies highlighted that community opposition, rather than environmental reviews, often slows projects, and that genuine community partnership is essential for long-term success .

Energy Affordability and Reliability

The discussion included differing perspectives on energy affordability and reliability. Proponents of the bills argued that increasing the production of American coal and natural gas provides reliable, affordable baseload power necessary for growing energy demands, especially for critical infrastructure like AI and data centers [ 00:25:21 ]

. Concerns were raised that mandated shifts to renewables, as seen in Colorado, could lead to significantly higher utility bills for consumers . Conversely, critics asserted that "cheap renewable energy" is driving coal's decline and that coal is "too expensive and destructive" to continue supporting . It was also noted that renewables often rely on imports of rare earths and critical minerals from adversarial nations, raising questions about their true cost and reliability [ 01:21:14 ] . The Department of the Interior underscored the growing demand for energy and the need for a diverse portfolio, including coal, to ensure stability .

National Security and Mineral Dependence

A significant part of the discussion centered on the United States' reliance on foreign nations, particularly China, for critical minerals and processing, viewing this as a major national security vulnerability [ 00:29:08 ]

. Speakers emphasized that China's dominance in global critical mineral production and processing creates strategic risks for U.S. industrial and defense sectors . The proposed legislation, including measures for deep sea mining, was presented as a means to reduce this dependency by fostering domestic production and securing allied-sourced alternatives [ 00:27:51 ] . The need for sustained action, investment, and durable policies to build a robust domestic mineral supply chain, from exploration to processing, was highlighted [ 01:00:10 ] .

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely divisive and contentious, reflecting a clear partisan split on the approach to energy and mineral development . Republicans expressed an urgent need for deregulation and increased domestic production to counter foreign adversaries and ensure energy independence, while Democrats voiced equally assertive concerns about environmental damage, community disenfranchisement, and the long-term viability of fossil fuels . Heated exchanges occurred regarding specific projects and the rationale behind administrative actions . Despite the disagreements, the meeting was also informative, with various witnesses providing detailed testimonies and context for the proposed legislation .