Bipartisan senators on Tuesday reintroduced legislation that would add copper to the nation’s list of critical minerals, a move that would open related projects up to streamlined permitting and more federal funding.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) floated the “Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025” Tuesday.
The bill would combine the Department of Energy’s list of critical materials, which includes copper, with the U.S. Geological Survey’s own roster, the latest version of which does not.
The House last year passed a similar bill from Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), but it failed to become law. Bipartisan support in the Senate, now controlled by Republicans, may lead to a different outcome this Congess.
