House passes Critical Mineral Dominance Act, fast-tracking mining on federal lands

The House passed H.R. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, 224-195 on February 4. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Pete Stauber, directs the Interior Department to identify priority mining projects on federal lands for immediate approval, suspend agency actions placing undue burdens on mining, and recommend changes to expand hardrock mineral production on National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands. Environmental groups warned the bill would circumvent NEPA review requirements for projects on public lands.