Electric vehicles, battery storage, transmission lines, wind turbines, solar installations, and next-gen nuclear reactors start with materials extracted from the earth. To build AI power infrastructure, data centers, advanced manufacturing, and an electrified economy, America must secure critical minerals. Americans increasingly agree that our future demands more electricity than our past. Whether focusing on economic growth, energy security, national defense, or reducing emissions, meeting this demand requires a historic expansion of America’s energy infrastructure, as noted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

However, a crucial truth is often overlooked: no clean energy transition happens without mining. The International Energy Agency states that critical minerals are essential for clean energy technologies. Copper, lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, rare earth elements, uranium, and others form the backbone of modern technology. They’re vital for electric vehicles, batteries, transmission lines, renewable energy systems, advanced nuclear tech, and defense systems.

While America advances new energy technologies, the mineral supply chains required lag behind. The U.S. hosts significant deposits of critical minerals, coupled with engineering expertise, a skilled workforce, and technological capabilities to develop them responsibly. From Nevada’s lithium and Arizona’s copper to Wyoming’s rare earth potential and Idaho’s cobalt, America has resources to bolster domestic supply chains. The challenge is developing them promptly and responsibly.

Responsible mineral development and strong environmental protections are not opposites. The goal is not fewer safeguards but a permitting system that’s rigorous, predictable, and capable of making timely decisions. Today, initiating a new mining project can take over a decade. An S&P Global study notes mine development timelines often exceed 15 years, due to overlapping reviews, lengthy litigation, and years of uncertainty before breaking ground. The Congressional Research Service explains the complexity of federal permitting under the National Environmental Policy Act. Though oversight is crucial, endless delay doesn’t ensure better environmental outcomes. A permitting system without predictability deters investment and makes America reliant on foreign suppliers.

Such dependence poses economic concerns and national security vulnerabilities. Materials for electric vehicles, batteries, transmission lines, wind turbines, and solar panels are also indispensable for fighter aircraft, advanced electronics, communications, and defense tech. America’s energy future and national security rest on the same mineral supply chains. Currently, China leads in processing and refining critical minerals, granting Beijing considerable influence over materials vital to modern industry and defense. America shouldn’t depend on geopolitical competitors for resources to power our economy, strengthen our grid, and secure our nation.

Boosting domestic mineral production requires more than deposit identification. Investments in mapping, research, processing capacity, and training a new generation of engineers and skilled workers are essential. Advanced technologies can locate resources efficiently and reduce unnecessary exploration. Better data can lead to responsible development, well-paying jobs, and stronger local supply chains.

The U.S. has a history with strategic minerals. Domestic uranium production supported America’s nuclear program in the past century. As interest in advanced nuclear tech and small modular reactors grows, reliable nuclear fuel access becomes critical. Relying on foreign sources for materials needed for next-gen nuclear power doesn’t make sense.

This isn’t a call to weaken environmental protections. Instead, it advocates producing needed minerals under America’s environmental, labor, and safety standards rather than outsourcing to countries with weaker safeguards. Outsourcing shifts environmental impacts and increases foreign dependency.

If America is committed to energy independence, economic competitiveness, and national security, recognizing critical minerals as foundational is essential. The clean energy transition relies not only on invention but also on responsibly developing necessary materials. America’s clean energy journey begins beneath the ground.