Angeline Leishman
The Department of Energy is soliciting public feedback on a plan to establish a demonstration facility to process rare earth element and critical minerals.
DOE said Monday the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $140 million for the design, construction and operation of an REE refinery plant as the Biden administration looks to grow the country’s clean energy technology supply chain as part of its commitment to achieving nationwide net-zero emission by 2050.
The department asked for input from the commercial, academic and government sectors on what features can be incorporated into the system to extract and separate essential materials from waste produced through coal mining work or related activity.
Comments are also needed on research and development, business model, supply chain and societal aspects of the refinery proposal.
Responses to the department’s request for information are due March 31.
