Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025
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This bill would permanently expedite environmental reviews for mining infrastructure projects and block rules limiting that eligibility.
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What it does
This bill would provide permanent statutory authority for federal agencies to expedite the environmental review process for certain mining infrastructure projects under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). It would also prohibit the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council from finalizing a 2023 proposed rule that would limit these expedited reviews specifically to critical minerals mining projects. By blocking that rule, the bill would maintain a broader scope of mining projects eligible for the streamlined permitting process.
Who is affected
This bill affects federal agencies involved in the environmental review process, specifically the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. It also impacts entities involved in mining infrastructure projects, including those beyond critical minerals mining, by maintaining their eligibility for expedited environmental reviews under the FAST Act. Additionally, the legislation restricts the Permitting Council from implementing rules that would limit these expedited processes to a narrower scope of mining projects.
Key provisions
- Expedited environmental review for mining infrastructure. The bill provides permanent statutory authority for certain mining infrastructure projects to qualify for expedited environmental review processes under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).
- Codification of 2021 Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council rule. The legislation formalizes authorities previously established in a January 2021 rule that added mining as a sector eligible for coverage under Title 41 of the FAST Act.
- Prohibition on narrowing the scope of eligible mining projects. The bill prevents the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council from finalizing a September 2023 proposed rule that would have limited expedited reviews specifically to critical minerals mining projects.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
The bill codifies and makes permanent provisions of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) that allow certain mining infrastructure projects to undergo expedited environmental review. Additionally, it prohibits the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council from finalizing a 2023 proposed rule that would have restricted these expedited reviews specifically to critical minerals mining projects.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to provide permanent statutory authority for the expedited environmental review of mining infrastructure projects by incorporating them into the FAST Act framework. It also seeks to prevent administrative changes that would limit these expedited reviews solely to critical minerals mining projects.