On March 20th, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to increase American production of critical minerals that are necessary for the future of renewable energy.
The order invokes emergency powers to prioritize and accelerate the domestic production of minerals listed as critical to the United States, with the objective of reducing reliance on imports. This Executive Order is the government’s strongest action yet towards restoring America’s domestic mining industry and is intended to counter the overwhelming control that other countries have over the supply of a number of minerals listed as critical to the economic and national security interests of the United States.
The order describes funding initiatives for domestic mining projects and calls for accelerated permitting and clarifications to the Mining Act, among other actions. David Copley, a senior executive from Newmont Mining, has been placed in charge of the program via the recently created National Energy Dominance Council.
Bud DeFlaviis, NAED’s Director of Government Relations, issued the following statement:
The Trump Administration’s efforts to streamline access to critical minerals are welcome news for NAED and the electrical equipment supply chain. With rising demand for electricity to power homes, businesses, and data centers, increased availability of domestically sourced materials is essential.
We also look forward to Congress advancing comprehensive permitting reforms and passing the Critical Mineral Consistency Act to reduce our reliance on foreign mineral supplies for products and energy infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, NEMA and NAM also issued statements:
NEMA welcomes President Trump’s Executive Order on Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production. These minerals are vital for a reliable grid, U.S. electrical system, and the essential connected products Americans rely on every day.
NEMA also urges Congress to add its support to this action by quickly passing the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, among the essential legislative actions that will support a reliable domestic supply of critical minerals and reduce reliance on unfriendly foreign supply chains.
America’s electrical manufacturers use critical minerals in products and technologies throughout our energy system, including electrical and digital solutions in buildings, industrial operations, the grid, and transportation applications.
For too long, red tape and burdensome regulations have stood in the way of the basic building blocks that power manufacturing in the United States, especially mining and processing the minerals manufacturers rely on to create jobs and dominate on the world stage. The administration is addressing those barriers, making it easier for manufacturers to access the resources we need to build the future in America.
The NAM and our members will continue to serve as a resource to the Trump administration as it takes action to secure America’s supply chains and reduce reliance on countries like China when we have resources right here at home.
A comprehensive manufacturing strategy—one that cements America’s position as the manufacturing superpower—depends on smart permitting reforms like the ones the administration is advancing. When manufacturers in the United States can invest with certainty, they plan, hire and win—and when manufacturers win, America wins.
“The NAM has long championed expediting the permitting process as a key pillar of our competitiveness agenda. When President Trump spoke at our September 2024 board meeting, he promised to deliver on this priority, and he has kept his promise. We look forward to continuing to work with his National Energy Dominance Council, under the leadership of Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, to Make America Great for Manufacturing Again.
The full text of the executive order can be found here.
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Parts of this release from the Associated Press. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tagged with minerals, renewable energy