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US Government News

Official announcements from the Department of Energy and federal agencies on mining, critical minerals, and energy policy

Energy Secretary Keeps Critical Generation Online in Mid-Atlantic
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a critical emergency order ensuring the continued operation of Units 3 and 4 of the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania, a natural gas and oil-fired facility, from May 25 to August 22, 2026. This mandate, the latest in a series of interventions since May 2025, aims to mitigate blackout risks and maintain grid stability in the Mid-Atlantic PJM region, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing generator retirements with rising electricity demand, a situation with significant implications for energy-intensive sectors like mining.

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Secretary Wright Announces Leadership Changes to Deliver Affordable, Reliable and Secure Energy to the American People
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced significant leadership changes, with Kyle Haustveit confirmed as Under Secretary of Energy and Alex Fitzsimmons appointed as Associate Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to Secretary Chris Wright. These appointments, occurring on May 22, 2026, signal a potential continued emphasis on domestic energy production, including hydrocarbons and geothermal, aligning with President Trump’s energy agenda and holding substantial implications for the U.S. mining sector, particularly coal and critical minerals.

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Energy Secretary Strengthens Mid-Atlantic Grid Reliability
US Gov't

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order, effective May 22, 2026, to ensure grid stability and prevent energy shortfalls for 65 million Americans across 13 states and the District of Columbia. This directive authorizes PJM Interconnection and Talen Energy Corporation to operate Unit 4 of the Wagner Generating Station in Maryland beyond its typical operating limits, responding to a "growing resource adequacy concern" ahead of anticipated summer demand and generator outages. The action underscores the critical balance between evolving energy infrastructure and the unwavering need for reliable, affordable power crucial for energy-intensive sectors like mining.

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United States and Bangladesh Strengthen Alliance with Energy Cooperation Agreement
US Gov't

The United States and Bangladesh have formalized a significant energy cooperation agreement, with the U.S. Department of Energy and Bangladesh's Energy and Mineral Resources Division signing a Memorandum of Understanding on May 14, 2026. This accord aims to bolster Bangladesh's energy security and industrial development through increased imports of U.S. energy products, including LNG and LPG, while facilitating millions of dollars in energy infrastructure projects. The agreement underscores the U.S.'s strategy to expand its energy exports and global partnerships, presenting substantial implications for the global mining sector due to the extensive mineral demands of large-scale energy infrastructure and technology development.

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Energy Secretary Issues Emergency Order to Deploy Backup Generation in the Mid-Atlantic Amid Heatwave
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order on May 18, 2026, authorizing PJM Interconnection, LLC to deploy backup generation in the Mid-Atlantic to mitigate potential blackouts during a heatwave and amid seasonal maintenance outages. This move, prompted by a request from PJM, underscores the critical importance of grid stability for industries like mining, which are heavily reliant on continuous, reliable power. The order highlights ongoing national energy security concerns and the economic impact of power outages, which cost the U.S. economy an estimated $44 billion annually.

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Energy Secretary Saves Midwest from Losing Critical Coal Generation Ahead of Peak Summer Demand
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a critical emergency order to keep the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in West Olive, Michigan, operational through August 16, 2026, averting potential grid reliability issues and blackouts in the Midwest during peak summer demand. This move highlights ongoing concerns about grid stability and resource adequacy, underscoring the vital, dispatchable role of coal despite planned retirements across the nation. The decision impacts the mining sector by reinforcing the continued demand for thermal coal in specific, high-stakes scenarios.

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Energy Department Awards $94 Million to American Companies to Help Expedite the Deployments of Small Modular Reactors in the United States
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded over $94 million to eight American companies to accelerate the deployment of advanced light-water Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This significant federal investment, announced on May 14, 2026, targets critical gaps in licensing, supply chain development, and site preparation, with the aim of bolstering domestic nuclear energy generation by the 2030s and fulfilling President Trump’s "nuclear energy renaissance" agenda. The initiatives are poised to create substantial opportunities across the nuclear fuel cycle, driving demand for uranium and specialized manufacturing components, and directly impacting the mining sector.

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Energy Secretary Continues Progress to Strengthen Energy Reliability in Puerto Rico
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has renewed two critical emergency orders for Puerto Rico, authorizing the local electric authority to exceed normal generation limits and enhance vegetation management to ensure grid stability. Effective immediately and extending through August 9, 2026, these measures aim to bolster energy reliability ahead of peak summer demand and the upcoming hurricane season, building on previous successes in preventing island-wide blackouts. This initiative highlights the crucial role of resilient energy infrastructure, offering valuable lessons for the global mining sector concerning operational continuity and investment stability.

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Energy Department Awards Contracts from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Advancing President Trump’s Historic Emergency Exchange
US Gov't

On May 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the award of contracts for the exchange of approximately 53.3 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This significant action is part of the United States’ 172-million-barrel commitment to the International Energy Agency’s collective effort to stabilize global oil supplies, marking a critical step in addressing short-term market disruptions and bolstering national energy security. The initiative, hailed by the current administration, further secures a 28% return premium in crude barrels, enhancing the SPR's long-term strength.

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Energy Department to Invest $36 Million in Enhanced Oil Recovery Program at the University of North Dakota
US Gov't

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is investing $36 million in the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environmental Research Center to advance carbon dioxide-based Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) in the Bakken shale formation. This funding, part of the $145 million Bakken EOR–Cracking the Code program, aims to unlock billions of additional barrels of oil by integrating laboratory research, AI modeling, and six field pilot projects. The initiative also leverages captured CO2 from coal-fired power plants, connecting energy production with carbon utilization strategies, thereby supporting domestic energy security and innovative resource management.

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