42 USC 13344 - Rare earth elements

U.S Code last checked for updates: Jan 18, 2025

§ 13344.

Rare earth elements

(a)

Research program

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Energy, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”), shall conduct a program of research and development—

(A)

to develop and assess advanced separation technologies for the extraction and recovery of rare earth elements and other critical materials from coal and coal byproducts; and

(B)

to determine if there are, and mitigate, any potential environmental or public health impacts that could arise from the recovery of rare earth elements from coal-based resources.

(2)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program described in paragraph (1)—

(A)

$23,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022;

(B)

$24,200,000 for fiscal year 2023;

(C)

$25,400,000 for fiscal year 2024;

(D)

$26,600,000 for fiscal year 2025; and

(E)

$27,800,000 for fiscal year 2026.

(b)

Report

(c)

Rare earth demonstration facility

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Facility activities

The facility established under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

provide environmental benefits through use of feedstock derived from acid mine drainage, mine waste, or other deleterious material;

(B)

separate mixed rare earth oxides into pure oxides of each rare earth element;

(C)

refine rare earth oxides into rare earth metals; and

(D)

provide for separation of rare earth oxides and refining into rare earth metals at a single site.

(3)

Authorization of appropriations

(d)

Critical material

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VII, § 7001, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2561; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40205, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 960.)

cite as: 42 USC 13344