Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Ranking Member of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, introduced the Permitting for Mining Needs (PERMIT-MN) Act. This legislation creates certainty for the mining community, limits frivolous litigation, and requires agency coordination across the Federal government.

“We are blessed with vast mineral wealth in northern Minnesota and across America,” said Congressman Stauber. “Our current permitting process fails to deliver our domestic resources and is abused by keep-it-in-the-ground activists who oppose mining solely on ideological grounds. The PERMIT-MN Act empowers our mining community nationwide. There is no justification to allow decades of litigation and permitting to get a legitimate mining project started. Let’s pass my commonsense legislation and get shovels in the ground while protecting our environment.”

Ranking Member Bruce Westerman of the House Natural Resources Committee, an original co-sponsor of the bill, added:

“It’s time to face facts: our daily lives are irrevocably linked to minerals. There is no way around it. From EV batteries to dental imaging systems to the very device on which you’re reading this, minerals are woven into the fabric of our society. Given this reality, it’s imperative we shore up our supply chains to ensure our global adversaries can’t establish a chokehold on our economy. We also need to radically overhaul our domestic permitting process, opening up access to mines across the country and showing the world how to produce these minerals in sustainable ways. Congressman Stauber has been a tireless advocate on these issues, using his firsthand experience with the Twin Metals mine in his district to showcase the growing need for these minerals. This legislation will speed up permitting timelines, fix holes in our supply chain, and more, resulting in an American economy that is stronger and safer than ever. I’m proud to join Congressman Stauber in this effort.”

The Permitting for Mining Needs Act is supported by the National Mining Association, the American Exploration and Mining Association, and the Uranium Producers of America.

Major components of the bill include:

• Setting time limits to Federal environmental reviews to create certainty on permitting timelines.
• Limits frivolous last second litigation.
• Authorizes memoranda of understating (MOUs) between project sponsors, states, and tribes at early stages and designates a lead agency to coordinate reviews to maximize efficiency.

Original source can be found here.