NW Valley Times

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On May 18, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced the Domestic Uranium Saves America Act (Domestic USA Act) to provide a pathway for increased domestic uranium production by adding uranium to the United States’ Critical Minerals List.

“As a matter of national security, we should not be reliant on foreign adversaries for our critical mineral needs,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “Uranium plays a vital role in our nation’s nuclear capabilities and nuclear energy, but it is not currently listed as a critical mineral. I am introducing this legislation to add uranium to this list of critical minerals. This is an important step toward securing our supply chains, promoting domestic uranium mining, and reducing our reliance on foreign nations.”

Pursuant to the Energy Act of 2020, at least every three years, the Department of the Interior must review and update the Critical Minerals List, update the methodology used to identify potential critical minerals, take interagency feedback and public comment through the Federal Register, and ultimately finalize the Critical Minerals List. A critical mineral is defined as a non-fuel mineral or mineral material essential to the economic or national security of the United States and which has a supply chain vulnerable to disruption. Uranium was removed from the Critical Minerals List in 2022.

Lesko was joined by Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), and David Schweikert (R-AZ-01) in introducing the legislation.

Original source can be found here.