Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024

The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024 amends the Energy Act of 2020 to harmonise the definition of critical minerals between the Department of Energy and the U.S. Geological Survey's classifications.

The Act establishes a more comprehensive framework by expanding the definition of 'critical minerals' to automatically include materials designated as critical by the Department of Energy. When the Energy Department adds any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material to its critical materials list, the legislation mandates that the U.S. Geological Survey must update its critical minerals list within 45 days to include this addition. This update period ensures timely alignment between the two classifications.

Prior to this legislation, there were two separate but overlapping classifications for essential materials in the United States. The Department of Energy maintained a list of critical materials vital for energy purposes, whilst the U.S. Geological Survey kept a separate catalogue of critical minerals crucial for economic and national security. Although these lists shared some common elements, there was no requirement for coordination between them, potentially creating gaps in supply chain management and security strategies.

This legislative change creates a more unified approach to managing critical resources across governmental departments. The synchronisation of these lists enables more coordinated efforts in securing supply chains and addressing potential vulnerabilities in the availability of these essential materials. 

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