National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act
- Last Action
- 4/11/2018
Actions
- 2018-04-11Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 482.
- 2018-04-11Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-631.
- 2018-04-11Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-631.
- 2018-03-07Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.
- 2018-03-07Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
- 2018-03-07Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.
- 2018-02-15Subcommittee Hearings Held.
- 2017-02-10Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 2017-01-13Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2017-01-13Introduced in House
- 2017-01-13Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2018-04-11 (17)
National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act
This bill addresses the mine permitting process.
Under the bill, projects that provide minerals vital to job creation, energy infrastructure, American economic competitiveness, and national security must be considered to be "infrastructure projects" as described in Executive Order 13604, entitled "Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects" dated March 22, 2012. This order directed federal agencies to significantly reduce the time required to make permitting and review decisions on infrastructure projects.
The bill sets forth general requirements for an existing mineral exploration or mine permit application.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Forest Service shall appoint a project lead for the mine permitting process to coordinate with other agencies to ensure that the agencies: minimize delays, set and adhere to timelines for completion of the permitting process, set clear permitting goals, and track progress against goals.
The requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 are satisfied if the BLM or the Forest Service determines that the agency issuing the permit will address specified factors, such as environmental impact, alternatives to issuance of the permit, or any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources that would be involved in the proposed action. The time period for completion of the mine permitting review process shall not exceed 30 months, except by mutual agreement.
Projects on National Forest System land shall be exempt from regulations that prohibit timber tree cutting and road construction in areas without roads.
The bill does not apply to oil, gas, and potash leasing and development within the designated potash areas of Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico.
Cosponsors (20)
- Bruce Westerman (R-AR)
- Paul Cook (R-CA)
- Paul Gosar (R-AZ)
- Jeff Duncan (R-SC)
- Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
- Doug Lamborn (R-CO)
- Scott Tipton (R-CO)
- Bill Flores (R-TX)
- Stevan Pearce (R-NM)
- DON YOUNG (R-AK)
- Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)
- Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
- Raul Labrador (R-ID)
- F. SENSENBRENNER (R-WI)
- MICHAEL SIMPSON (R-ID)
- Tom McClintock (R-CA)
- JOHN CULBERSON (R-TX)
- Tom Graves (R-GA)
- Jody Hice (R-GA)
- Mia Love (R-UT)
Subjects
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Alternative and renewable resources
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of the Interior
- Electric power generation and transmission
- Energy storage, supplies, demand
- Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
- Forests, forestry, trees
- Infrastructure development
- Land use and conservation
- Licensing and registrations
- Mining
- Oil and gas
- Pipelines
- Strategic materials and reserves
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.