During a House Natural Resources Committee hearing earlier this month, Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) questioned Department of Interior officials about critical minerals and mining access.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Thank you very much.
00:02 The chair will now recognize members for five minutes of questioning.
00:05 I now recognize myself for five minutes.
00:08 Dr. Applegate, the USGS develops the critical minerals list, which is updated every three
00:13 years as you know.
00:14 However, the 2020 Energy Act specifically requires USGS to "establish an analytical
00:21 and forecasting capability when identifying covered minerals."
00:26 Where is the USGS in developing this forecasting capability and will forecasting metrics be
00:31 incorporated when identifying the minerals on next year's updated list?
00:38 Thank you very much for that question, Mr. Chairman.
00:40 And as we're developing the next list, we are focusing on the incorporation of modeling
00:47 and for example, to try to look at different scenarios and to incorporate that into the
00:53 process.
00:54 Now, this isn't getting us all the way to forecasting.
00:56 Indeed, part of the president's budget request is to be able to really expand our capabilities
01:03 instead of where right now we're doing a lot of sort of one-off kinds of modeling efforts.
01:10 And so we are looking to be able to expand that.
01:12 So there will be additional elements that would contribute, but not full blown forecasting.
01:18 Okay, well, I look forward to seeing what you have reflected in next year's list.
01:25 Ms. Buccino, where is OSMRE on addressing the backlog of state reclamation plan amendments?
01:37 Thank you, Congressman.
01:40 In terms of the review of state program amendments, we're working diligently to address those
01:49 before us.
01:50 We have 45 currently before us, but I'm pleased to report that since last November, we've
01:58 reduced that backlog by 10% and we're continuing to work hard to address the rest of them that
02:06 are pending before us.
02:08 Next slide, please.
02:11 The AML fund, Ms. Buccino, the AML fund directs money collected from coal production to help
02:16 clean up mines deserted decades ago.
02:19 Additionally, the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act appropriated an additional $11.3
02:23 billion for AML cleanup on top of the revenues from ongoing coal production.
02:28 However, OSMRE requires states to apply for grants from the traditional OSMRE funds and
02:35 the IIJA funds separately.
02:37 In fact, they'll be doubling the state's office's workload.
02:41 To you, does this seem like an efficient use of either state or federal resources?
02:48 Congressman, in terms of we have actually three pots of money that we need to track
02:59 separately.
03:00 One is the fee-based AML programs and then the bill, the additional money that you referred
03:08 to, the $11.3 billion over 15 years.
03:11 And then there's the third program as well, AMLR.
03:14 And it is important that we keep track of those funds separately.
03:19 We are consistently and constantly looking for ways to do that in an efficient as well
03:26 as effective way.
03:27 And in fact, we have right now pulled together a group of OSM grant specialists with state
03:34 grant managers to figure out how to simplify that process as much as possible.
03:42 I think that's good news and hopefully you get to a good resolution.
03:46 Thank you.
03:47 And then Ms. Puccino, how would streamlining the AML funding request process lead to a
03:53 faster remediation of abandoned land and quicker environmental reclamation?
03:59 So we have the same goal, I think.
04:03 Congress's intent both in terms of passing the bipartisan infrastructure law with that
04:09 additional dramatic increase in funding as well as the fee-based program is designed
04:19 to move coal communities forward and turn those, reclaim those abandoned mine lands
04:28 and turn them into productive future uses.
04:31 And absolutely, making the process of getting those projects reviewed and approved as efficient
04:38 as possible is the best way to get those results on the ground.
04:42 Last question, when do you expect to publish the next iteration of AML guidelines?
04:49 Well I'm pleased to report that we've been working hard on that to get the FY24 bill
04:56 guidance out and you should expect to see that within the next couple of weeks.
05:01 Okay.
05:03 I guess my time's up.
05:05 I am going to yield to the Ranking Member for five minutes.
05:08 Thank you, Mr. Chairman.