The lawmakers took aim at the State Department’s Minerals Security Partnership, or MSP. The MSP was established last year between the U.S. and 10 countries and the European Commission and is currently evaluating 16 overseas mining, refining, and recycling projects.
“The U.S. is home to world-class reserves of minerals essential to our economic and national security, yet our dependence on mineral imports and foreign processing is reaching alarming levels,” the lawmakers said in the letter to the administration, first reported by the“This is a vulnerability the administration is deepening.
It also includes strict battery sourcing requirements for electric vehicles manufactured in the U.S. In order to be eligible for a $7,500 tax credit, automakers are required to source 40% of their critical minerals used in electric vehicle battery production from the U.S. or countries that have a free trade agreement with the U.S. beginning in March.
But we can't hurt the environment because there's only 8 years to live!